In recent weeks, arguably the biggest news stories in the United States have centered on Minneapolis, Minnesota. Somali fraud, protests, and ICE-involved violence have dominated headlines. But what should Christians think about what is happening in the greater Minneapolis area?
It has been a cold winter in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it has very little to do with the actual weather. Minneapolis is a major city in the United States, but the Western half of the Twin Cities has had more news coverage over the past month or so than perhaps at any other time in its history.
In December, various reports surfaced of major welfare fraud in the state. Several of the potential scams involved Somali nationals, most notably some involving daycare/childcare centers. Though the evidence proves that some fraud is certainly happening in this realm (there have been arrests that you can read about here), several "reports" around the situation have been shown to be false or exaggerated.
The added attention on the Minneapolis area was one of many reasons that led to the Department of Homeland Security ordering an increased presence of their Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). ICE and CBP, most known for arresting illegal aliens/undocumented immigrants for potential deportation, have been the focus of many political debates in America over the past year.
In Minnesota, the debates turned to protests.
Though many of those protests have been peaceful, some have not. Some protests have escalated into riots. Others have involved US citizens intentionally disrupting ICE/CBP raids or patrols. At the time of this writing, two citizens (Renee Good and Alex Pretti) have been killed by officers during these clashes. Both slayings have been put under state and federal investigations, though Good's case has already been closed by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
This article will include some facts and observations about the situation in Minneapolis and the surrounding area, will examine what the political Right and political Left in America think about the subject, and (most importantly) will observe what Scripture has to say in relation to what is happening.
Facts and observations about what is happening in Minneapolis
- In regard to various forms of welfare fraud in Minnesota, the state government has serious problems that must be addressed.
- Though not just present in Minnesota and not limited to just Somalis, fraud has been uncovered in the North Star State. According to the Cato Institute, organizations like Feeding Our Families, Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (an autism support welfare group), Housing Stabilization Services, Integrated Community Supports, and various childcare subsidies have been involved in billions of dollars' worth of fraud. Some of the most public of these cases have had Somali immigrants at the forefront.
- However, it is worth noting that the entire Somali community—nearly 100,000 people in the Twin Cities—is not guilty of these crimes. Many who (rightly) oppose the fraud have (wrongly) opposed the entire community.
- Governor Tim Walz has already canceled his bid for re-election. The state government was made aware of potential fraud years ago but elected not to open major investigations.
- The federal government has alleged that they have found links between the welfare fraud in Minnesota and al Shabaab, a Somali-based affiliate of known terrorist group, Al Qaeda. That investigation is ongoing.
- On one hand, some of the perceived issues surrounding the presence of ICE and the CBP in America appear to be politically motivated.
- In fact, according to statistics from the Department of Homeland Security, the number of legal charges from ICE and CBP aren't any higher during the Trump administration than during the Biden Presidency.
- Certain areas, especially bigger cities, have seen more targeted operations, leading to the perception that enforcement has increased. With higher population areas receiving the most attention from the DHS enforcement arms, there has been greater coverage, both via news outlets and via social media.
- Specifically, ICE arrests in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Twin Cities area is, by far, the highest in the region.
- On the other hand, some of the perceived issues surrounding ICE and the CBP are issues of operation.
- Though total charges are not up, overall detentions have increased significantly, according to a report from the American Immigration Council. So, too, has the money spent by the Department of Homeland Security in funding ICE and the CBP.
- The discrepancy between total charges and overall detentions and/or arrests likely shows that there are more arrests of individuals whose only charges are illegal immigration infractions. Depending upon one's thoughts on undocumented migrants living in America, that could be a good thing or a bad thing. The same report from the AIC says that these types of detainments (ones of illegal immigrants with no additional charges levied against them) could be up by as much as 2400%.
- Democratic Massachusetts Senator Chris Murphy even claims that 70% of current arrests by ICE are for individuals with no other criminal record.
- Obviously, public outspokenness (on either side of the political aisle) increased with the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti being in the public eye.
- The deployment of ICE, CBP, and the National Guard to Minneapolis has been dubbed "Operation Metro Surge."
- Though heavily covered by the news, arrests from both ICE and CBP have been lower in recent months. Deportation numbers, though, appear to be higher.
- As part of a "protest" against the operation and against the killing of Renee Good, former CNN anchor Don Lemon and other demonstrators interrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul. Lemon and others rushed into the sanctuary, shouting at churchgoers and staff. Many accused the worshipers of being "fake Christians" for not being out protesting with them. Lemon and several others were later arrested for a violation of the First Amendment's protection of the freedom of worship. Ironically, Lemon's legal representation cites the First Amendment's protection of freedom of protest as his defense against the charges.
- On a macro level, what is happening is not unlawful. According to District Court Judge Katherine Menendez, the state of Minnesota has provided no evidence that ICE has overstepped its authority or jurisdiction. However, she said that she believes other issues, such as racial profiling and intimidation, have been present at times. Menendez argued that specific instances (she did not say which instances) have appeared to include excessive uses of force, as well.
- Specifically regarding Renee Good and Alex Pretti, it should be said that both deaths are tragic. Perhaps making things worse, both were largely avoidable (more on that later).
What the Left says about what is happening in Minneapolis
The Left in America has largely (though not completely) condemned Operation Metro Surge in and around Minneapolis. Democrats have called for the abolishment, or at least the defunding, of ICE. Typically, in response to the fraud situation in the state, the Left has been quiet or blamed negative coverage on racial bias against Somalis.
- The Democratic Party in the United States is largely united in its stance against the Department of Homeland Security's deployment of ICE and CBP personnel. Spefically as it pertains to Minneapolis, the majority of public opinions expressed by American liberal politicians have included calls for cessation of operation.
- New York Senator Chuck Schumer and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren are among the most prominent voices calling for the defunding of ICE and the CBP.
- Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are among the names who have called for ICE to be abolished outright and the CBP to operate only at the border. They are among the Democrats calling Homeland Securities intervention in cities across America as "invasions."
- Massachusetts Representative Ayanna Pressley has called ICE "a rogue, violent agency" and has accused the agents involved in the Renee Good incident of murder.
- Maryland Senator Chris van Hollen said that the Trump Administration has "blood on their hands" and claims that the killings of Good and Pretti are "happening at their direction."
- Several liberal politicans have argued that conservative views on the second amendment contradict conservative opinion on Pretti's death, as many on the right side of the political aisle have argued that Pretti's possession of a gun was the basis for his death.
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have been loud opponents of the Trump administration and the presence of ICE and the CBP in the Twin Cities. However, after significant time encouraging citizens to protest the federal intervention, both politicians have quietly begun working with the Trump administration to bring in undocumented immigrants in Minneapolis.
- Before canceling his bid for re-election in Minnesota, Walz claimed that the federal investigations into fraud in his state were a plan made up by conservatives "to defund programs that help Minnesotans." After claiming to not be aware of any existing fraud, Walz later said that his administration had spent years trying to crack down on the fraud. He later added that Minnesota's generosity attracted criminals who wanted to steal from the state.
What the Right says about what is happening in Minneapolis
Republican politicians in America almost unanimously support a hard-line stance against the fraud perpetrators in Minnesota. The support for ICE and CBP in Minneapolis has been more split, as some on the Right have praised the efforts full-heartedly, while others have called for more transparency, at minimum.
- Conservative politicians in the United States largely support the federal government's intervention in Minnesota, both as it pertains to the welfare fraud investigations and the push for deportations in the Minneapolis area. They also almost universally condemn some Democrats' efforts to hinder the work of ICE and the CBP.
- Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer is one of many conservatives who say that liberal opposition has made the situation in Minnesota significantly worse, citing the much-higher-than-average rate of ICE-related, violent encounters to arrests in the state versus other parts of the country. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham called the idea of impeding law enforcement while armed (a direct reference to Alex Pretti) "a recipe for disaster." Conservative commentator Erick-Woods Erickson says that the blame for violence lies with Time Walz and Jacob Frey for not cooperating "like most other states do," adding that "Americans are not dying in other states," in situations such as these.
- A handful of conservatives, like Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and Washington Representative Michael Baumgartner, have called for more transparency and investigations into the Good and Pretti cases. "The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake," said Cassidy.
- In the case of Pretti, opinions are more mixed.
- Despite the fact that officers had disarmed Pretti and outnumbered him, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem argued that the shots that killed the citizen were "defensive shots" because an agent was "fearing for his life."
- Several Republicans (such as Vermont Governor Phil Scott) have said that immigration law enforcement officers went too far. "It’s not acceptable for American citizens to be killed by federal agents for exercising their God-given and constitutional rights to protest their government," he said.
- Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie has been critical of the Trump admin's use of ICE and the CBP in Minnesota.
- In the fraud investigations, American conservatives have applauded the uncovering of the issues in Minnesota and other areas. Minnesota Representative Elliott Engen called the collective fraud "an organized crime syndicate." In some states, laws have been written in response to the situation to increase punishments and ensure financial insurance in similar fraud cases.
- Some on the Right have argued for the superiority of their party because Republicans didn't have harsh protests following unjust deaths, like the murder of Laken Riley. However, the difference is that Riley's killer was quickly arrested. The situations are not "apples-to-apples" comparisons.
- Many Republicans have called for charges to be filed against Democratic politicians in Minnesota, alleging potential involvement and/or negligence.
What the Bible says
The Bible doesn't talk directly about illegal immigration or welfare fraud. It doesn't mention Minnesota, Somalia, or how to properly discern what is happening in situations of police/military violence. However, the Word of God provides insight into how Christians should think as they consider the current situation in Minnesota.
First, a note on black and white morality versus difficult discernments, plus a list of obvious wrongs.
There are certain things about the current situations in Minnesota that every Christians should find agreement, even without much study. Meanwhile, there are others that require much more thoughtful reflection.
Some clear areas of wrongdoing include (but are not limited to):
- Fraud is an example of theft and ill-gained wealth and should be condemned. The Eigth commandment (Exodus 20:15) is one of many verses that explain the moral issue with theft. Just in case anyone tries to argue that it isn't theft, deceitful gain of any kind is biblically denounced, too (Proverbs 20:17). In every instance of fraud, including the welfare scams in Minnesota, sin is present.
- Illegal immigration is against the law of the land and, therefore, sinful. There can be extenuating circumstances at play (refugee situations, etc.), but those in need of finding a new home should seek legal avenues of doing so. There is plenty of room for Christian compassion for immigrants of all kind, but illegal activities are still...well, illegal. And nations securing their borders is not wrong. You can read more from Narrow about illegal immigration here.
- Any use of excessive force is wrong and should be criticized. Some situations of self-defense and even law enforcement will require use of force, and determining which of these situations truly must result in forceful action can be difficult. However, aside from more complex situations like Alex Pretti's death, there have been plenty of documented instances in which ICE/CBP have used unwarranted force in carrying out their operations. Similarly, there have been plenty of documented instances in which protestors have used unwarranted force in making their points known, too. All of that is problematic.
Though not always as clear as "right" or "wrong," unnatural loss of life is always tragic, for one reason or another. Those who side with the Minnesotan protestors, those who side with immigration law enforcement, and those in between should all agree in that regard.
Justice is important to God.
The Lord is described in Scripture as a "God of justice" (Isaiah 30:18) and as a King who loves justice (Isaiah 61:8). As such, He commands His people to seek justice and act justly (Micah 6:8).
Justice, in this context, means both a commitment to upholding the law (which would include immigration law) and a commitment to the proper treatment of people as human beings. Unfortunately, the political dichotomy of the United States has many individuals choosing to favor one side of that justice over the other. Instead, Christians must be committed to both.
Within this principle is the equivalent responsibility of those in authority positions to never misuse that authority. To do so would be unjust.
Acts 16 even provides an example of the Roman police using undue force against Paul and Silas. As one might expect, the act is clearly viewed as wrong, and the "wrong-ness" extends even further because the violence came against Roman citizens.
There have been far too many documented examples of officers approaching unarmed individuals with guns drawn or engaging individuals with unnecessary violence. There should be no defending that type of behavior.
When injustice happens, it is not wrong for Christians to feel righteous anger. However, that anger can easily turn to sin. Believers have a responsibility to not respond to wrong with additional wrong.
Good decision-making is important.
Within the context of Renee Good and Alex Pretti losing their lives at the hands of immigration enforcement officers, it is worth examining the decision-making of everyone involved.
For example, the ICE officers involved in Renee Good's death failed in their overly aggressive approach to her vehicle, frightening her into a flight response. Good, herself, made the poor decisions of breaking the law by blocking traffic, impeding law enforcement operations, and attempting to run away. She didn't deserve to die for her mistakes, but those decisions were still mistakes.
Likewise, Alex Pretti should not have died for intervening in what he felt was injustice in the street. However, doing so while armed is a dangerous decision, whether it should be or not. Still, by the time his life was taken, he no longer had his legal, concealed firearm. Surely, the shooting of a man who had already been disarmed required poor decision-making on the part of at least one officer.
When good decisions are not made, tragedy can strike.
Any prejudicial or racist thought, word, or deed is reprehensible. So is pretending that those things are happening when they are not.
It is an undeniable fact that much of the strife in these Minnesota clashes has at least something to do with race and immigration, especially as it pertains to the Somali and Latino populations.
For any foreigner (Somali, Latino, or otherwise), unlawful behavior should be met with legal consequences. However, there are many in Minnesota right now who are under scrutiny just because they are foreign or look foreign.
Regardless of a person's legal status as an immigrant, every person on Earth was made in the image of God.
Genesis 1:26 speaks to this idea, saying, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'"
Because of that, every person carries an intrinsic value. Racist or prejudiced behavior dehumanizes people and is sinful.
No one should celebrate situations in which people are being profiled unfairly. Conversely, when someone engages in criminal activity but happens to be foreign, claiming "racism" or "profiling" is stark dishonesty and a violation of the Ninth Commandment in Exodus 20:16.
Loyalty to political party over truth is both unintelligent and immoral.
One of the most frustrating parts of American politics is the ever-increasing sentiment within the two-party system for supporters on one side of the aisle to blindly support everything their favored party does and blindly dismiss or condemn everything the other party does.
Not only does that type of mindset not hold any intellectual merit, it lacks any biblical support.
Scripture demands a commitment to the truth in a common sense, but it also shows that objective truth is a reality.
Jesus refers to Himself in John 14:6 as "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He also calls His Word "Truth" in the High Priestly Prayer of John 17. Illustrating that objective truth can be found in life, in Zechariah 8:16, the Lord speaks through the prophet to tell His people to "speak the truth."
It is clearly sinful to deny something that is true simply to stick with political conviction. There have been many discussions surrounding what has been happening in Minnesota in which folks with strong political allegiances deny objective reality to uphold their agendas. For example, many conservatives have argued that Alex Pretti brandished a weapon before his death; video evidence shows that clearly did not happen. Similarly, many liberals have said repeatedly that Renee Good did not hit an ICE officer with her car, yet the officer suffered some internal bleeding from the event.
Final verdict
From fraud to protests to violence in the streets, Minneapolis, Minnesota remains in the news and likely will be for some time. Most news outlets will do their best to skew the narrative toward their favored side of the political aisle.
What can be known objectively, though, is that fraud, illegal immigration, and use of excessive force are sinful. Denying truth, ignoring injustice, partaking in racial prejudices or profiling, and valuing politics over reality are evils that are far too common in this world.
As days continue to go by, Christians must pray.
Christians must pray for leaders to make decisions that are in the best interest of the American people, even when it requires working alongside others from a different political persuasion.
Christians must pray for those who have been negatively affected by improper use of law enforcement authority or by zealots disguised as protestors.
And, most importantly, Christians must pray for sinful hearts to be changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, because only the Lord can heal what is broken in America.
