Wednesday, January 21, 2026- A normally quiet Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, turned into a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict over federal immigration enforcement when roughly three dozen protesters entered the sanctuary and interrupted worship.
Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” targeting the church because one of its pastors reportedly also serves as a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement official. The disruption forced the service to end early and immediately intensified local outrage over federal tactics.
The protest was driven by community anger over recent ICE enforcement actions, including controversial raids and the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent earlier this month. Organizers said they aimed to spotlight what they describe as aggressive enforcement and civil rights violations. The incident drew sharp criticism from religious leaders who argue that houses of worship should remain sacred spaces, while federal authorities indicated they are reviewing whether the protest crossed legal boundaries.
The confrontation inside a church reflects a broader escalation in Minnesota between immigration activists, local officials, and federal law enforcement. It has become part of a growing debate over how far protesters should go in opposing ICE operations and how authorities should balance enforcement with civil liberties. With tensions already high, the church disruption now stands as another powerful symbol in the national conversation on immigration enforcement and public safety.
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