January 28, 2026
Today marked a significant turning point in the resistance against “Operation Metro Surge” as federal agents clashed with sitting members of Congress. What began as scattered protests has now coalesced into a unified front of over 40 distinct organizations, joined physically on the front lines by lawmakers.
The most critical development today occurred in Dilley, Texas. Texas DPS troopers deployed chemical irritants against peaceful protesters outside the South Texas Family Residential Center. This escalation happened while two Democratic Congressmembers were attempting to conduct oversight regarding the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias.
The “Coalition of 40”: Who Is Mobilizing?
A massive, cross-sectional coalition has formed to oppose the deportation raids. This is no longer just immigration advocacy groups. It is now a united front of labor, student, and civil rights organizations. Below are the key groups identified as active in today’s mobilizations across Minneapolis, Texas, California, and New York.
Labor & Unions (The “Strike” Backbone)
Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation (AFL-CIO): Organizing workplace walkouts in the Midwest.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU): Mobilizing healthcare workers nationwide.
Communications Workers of America (CWA): Providing communications support for organizers.
International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Refusing deliveries to ICE contracting facilities.
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW): Coordinating “flying picket” lines in St. Paul.
Labor Student Association (UCLA chapter): Organizing campus labor solidarity.
National Nurses United (NNU): Protesting the targeting of healthcare workers.
United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA): Organizing “Sanctuary Schools” defense committees.
Civil Rights & Advocacy
Indivisible: Coordinating the national “No Kings” response.
ACLU (People Power divisions): Providing legal observers on the ground.
Movement for Black Lives: Linking police accountability to immigration enforcement.
The 50501 Movement: Organizing “50 protests, 50 states” campaigns.
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA): Leading West Coast support.
Centro CSO: Organizing community defense in East LA.
Immigrant Legal Resource Center: Providing rapid response legal aid.
Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition: Blocking transfer buses in Colorado.
Texas Civil Rights Project: Leading legal battles in the Dilley/San Antonio sector.
Student & Campus Organizations
Students for a Democratic Society (SDS): Led NYC walkouts today.
UCLA Afrikan Student Union: Led LA walkouts today.
Bruin Democrats: Organizing voter registration drives on campus.
Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP): Connecting international solidarity movements.
Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD): Mobilizing student defense coalitions.
Political & Community Defense
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA): Organizing mutual aid hubs.
Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL): Leading street marches in major cities.
Revolutionary Communists of America: Mobilizing youth contingents.
Black Alliance for Peace: Framing the conflict as a human rights issue.
Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL): Providing political cover for state resistance.
Our Revolution Minnesota: Mobilizing Sanders-era networks.
Green Party of Minnesota: Supporting third-party resistance efforts.
Angel City Brigade: Organizing sports fan solidarity.
The Representatives: Who Showed Up?
Unlike previous weeks where politicians issued statements from D.C., today saw members of Congress physically placing themselves between federal agents and their constituents.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) & Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX)
Location: Dilley, Texas (South Texas Family Residential Center).
Action: They physically entered the detention center to meet with Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old detained after the Minneapolis raids. Following their visit, they held an emergency press conference on the steps of San Antonio City Hall. They described the child as “lethargic” and confirmed that chemical agents deployed by state troopers had drifted into the facility’s perimeter.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) & Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)
Location: Minneapolis, MN.
Action: Just 24 hours after Rep. Omar was attacked at a town hall, she appeared publicly with Rep. Pressley to demand the impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. They are physically on the ground in the city currently under the heaviest federal occupation.
Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-CA) & Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-CA)
Location: Bay Area / San Mateo.
Action: While not at the physical tear-gas line in Texas, both representatives publicly announced today that they will vote “NO” on all DHS funding. They called for the immediate “overhaul” of ICE and joined the protest demands from the legislative side.
Timeline of Escalation: January 2026
To understand why today exploded, you have to look at the pressure cooker created over the last three weeks.
January 6: The administration announces “Operation Metro Surge” and deploys 2,000 federal agents to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. This marks the largest single deployment of immigration enforcement assets in U.S. history.
January 7 (The Catalyst): Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, is shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis while driving her car. Agents claim she “drove at them” but witness video released later contradicts this and sparks outrage.
January 13: Video leaks showing federal agents tackling protesters in Minneapolis. The footage further inflames tensions.
January 20: A 5-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father Adrian Conejo Arias are detained in Minneapolis. They are transferred to the Dilley, Texas detention center and become the national face of the crackdown.
January 23 (The General Strike): Minnesota sees its first general strike action in decades. Tens of thousands refuse to work or shop. Businesses close in solidarity against the federal occupation.
January 24 (The Second Killing): During a protest against ICE in Minneapolis, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, is shot and killed by federal agents. DHS claims he was armed. Protesters and initial reports dispute this.
January 27: Rep. Ilhan Omar is attacked and sprayed with a chemical substance by a man at a Minneapolis town hall while speaking out against DHS.
January 28 (Today):
Minneapolis: Reps. Omar and Pressley call for impeachment.
Texas: Texas DPS troops deploy chemical irritants against protesters outside the facility where Reps. Castro and Crockett are visiting.
Nationwide: Campus walkouts occur at UCLA, NYU, and other major universities demanding an end to the “reign of terror.”
Sources & Official Statements
Press Release: Rep. Jasmine Crockett Votes NO on DHS Funding
Legislative Action: Rep. Kevin Mullin Opposes ICE Funding Bill
Official Statement: Rep. Sam Liccardo Calls for Secretary Noem’s Removal
Press Release: Rep. Ilhan Omar on Minneapolis Town Hall Attack
Congress.gov: H.R.7147 - Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
