Federal prosecutors have charged 15 individuals in Minnesota with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers during a recent immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The charges, announced on Tuesday (June 16), accuse the defendants of being part of two Minneapolis-based antifa groups, Direct Action Minnesota and Black Cat Worker’s Collective, which allegedly oppose immigration law enforcement.

Twelve of the accused were arrested on Tuesday, while one was already in custody, and two remain at large. The charges stem from actions taken during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown known as "Operation Metro Surge." The operation, which began in late 2025, involved thousands of immigration agents and led to protests and community responses across Minnesota.

The defendants are accused of using encrypted communication and organizing blockades to impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen stated that the charges reflect a federal effort to address organized actions that disrupt federal law enforcement. Rosen emphasized that the charges are based on actions, not speech, and dismissed concerns about free speech violations.

Protests erupted outside the federal courthouse in Minneapolis as the defendants made their first court appearances. Demonstrators clashed with federal agents, who used teargas and pepper spray to disperse the crowd. Some protesters, including former National Lawyers Guild president Bruce Nestor, criticized the charges as "thought crimes" and political retribution.

The Trump administration has designated antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, though analysts argue that antifa is a decentralized movement rather than a single entity. The charges against the Minnesota defendants are part of ongoing federal efforts to prosecute those opposing immigration enforcement during Operation Metro Surge.

The indictment does not allege that any federal officers were injured, but Rosen stated that the prosecution will reveal more details as the case progresses. The charges are the latest in a series of federal actions against protesters, with some previous cases being dropped due to lack of evidence or false statements by federal officials.

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