The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a nationwide call for agents to volunteer for temporary assignments in Minneapolis, according to sources familiar with the internal request. The call for volunteers comes as the city has experienced a significant escalation in protests targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Volunteer Request Lacks Specific Details
The messages sent to agents across the United States in recent days did not explicitly link the request to the ongoing demonstrations, nor did they provide specific details about the nature of the temporary assignments. The FBI has declined to comment on the volunteer solicitation or its objectives. This move follows an increased federal presence in the city from both the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.
The protests in Minneapolis intensified after a federal officer shot and killed a woman, Renee Good, on January 7, 2026, while she was in her vehicle. The incident has fueled sustained public demonstrations against immigration enforcement actions.
Federal Leadership Visits and Military Preparations
On Friday, January 16, 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche visited Minneapolis. Patel stated on the social media platform X that the FBI was "cracking down on violent rioters and investigating the funding networks supporting the criminal actors with multiple arrests already."
In a related development, the Pentagon has reportedly ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty troops from the Army's 11th Airborne Division to prepare for a potential deployment to Minnesota. Officials characterized this as "prudent planning," and it remains unclear if any soldiers will actually be sent. This follows threats from former President Donald Trump to deploy military forces to quell demonstrations.
Legal and Operational Context
In a significant legal ruling, a federal judge issued an order on Friday, January 16, 2026, prohibiting immigration officers from arresting, detaining, pepper-spraying, or otherwise retaliating against peaceful protesters in Minneapolis. This order came in response to allegations from demonstrators that their constitutional rights were being violated.
While immigration enforcement is not a core FBI mission, data from October 2025 indicated that roughly one-quarter of FBI agents were assigned to immigration-related duties. The bureau's traditional focus areas include national security, counter-terrorism, organized crime, and high-profile violent offences.
The unfolding situation in Minneapolis represents a complex intersection of protest activity, federal law enforcement response, and legal oversight, with the FBI's latest call for volunteers adding a new layer to the federal government's engagement in the city.
