Jon Collins
@jcollins.bsky.social
Reporter @MPRNews.org '25 Nieman fellow at Harvard. Co-creator of Peabody Award-winning 74 Seconds podcast. Victory gardener. Joncollinsjournalism.com
Reposted by Jon Collins
🚨 ICE is authorized to covertly infiltrate and interact with social media accounts under a new program called "masked engagement," per documents leaked to me:
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
Exclusive: ICE Masks Up in More Ways Than One
Feds could be in your group chat
www.kenklippenstein.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:29 AM
🚨 ICE is authorized to covertly infiltrate and interact with social media accounts under a new program called "masked engagement," per documents leaked to me:
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
Reposted by Jon Collins
The same morning as Homan’s announcement, Mayor Kaohly Her signed a new city ordinance that requires law enforcement to display their names or badge numbers visibly on their uniforms.
She said there are challenges to holding federal agencies to local laws, but the city has “mechanisms” to do so.
She said there are challenges to holding federal agencies to local laws, but the city has “mechanisms” to do so.
Mayor Kaohly Her 'cautiously optimistic' about reported end to federal immigration surge
The St. Paul mayor took office during a surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota. The Trump Administration announced Thursday it is ending what it calls “Operation Metro Surge.”
www.mprnews.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM
The same morning as Homan’s announcement, Mayor Kaohly Her signed a new city ordinance that requires law enforcement to display their names or badge numbers visibly on their uniforms.
She said there are challenges to holding federal agencies to local laws, but the city has “mechanisms” to do so.
She said there are challenges to holding federal agencies to local laws, but the city has “mechanisms” to do so.
“It was time to speak up,” Stenvik said in an interview with MPR News. “I'm glad that we did, because I think that there's some disbelief, because it's so shocking and so aggressive and violent and harmful to children.” via @shockmanwrites.bsky.social
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
February 13, 2026 at 2:39 PM
“It was time to speak up,” Stenvik said in an interview with MPR News. “I'm glad that we did, because I think that there's some disbelief, because it's so shocking and so aggressive and violent and harmful to children.” via @shockmanwrites.bsky.social
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Jon Collins
The Mankato City Council is preparing an emergency ordinance that is meant to hold agencies from outside the city carrying out law enforcement activities more accountable.
Mankato explores ordinance requiring federal agents to demask, wear IDs and body cams
The Mankato City Council is moving to demask ICE, Border Patrol and other law enforcement officers from outside the city, while requiring them to wear body cameras and something that identifies who th...
www.mprnews.org
February 12, 2026 at 3:21 PM
The Mankato City Council is preparing an emergency ordinance that is meant to hold agencies from outside the city carrying out law enforcement activities more accountable.
Reposted by Jon Collins
A judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting $42M in public health funding from Minnesota after the state sued Thursday.
Minnesota sues after CDC cuts millions of dollars in public health grants
A judge issued the temporary restraining order Thursday after Attorney General Keith Ellison and other attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the federal Office of Management and Budget.
www.mprnews.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:23 AM
A judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting $42M in public health funding from Minnesota after the state sued Thursday.
Reposted by Jon Collins
“.. Noem and Lewandowski frequently berate senior level staff, give polygraph tests to employees they don’t trust and have fired employees—in one incident, Lewandowski fired a U.S. Coast Guard pilot after Noem’s blanket was left behind on a plane ..”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
February 13, 2026 at 2:09 AM
“.. Noem and Lewandowski frequently berate senior level staff, give polygraph tests to employees they don’t trust and have fired employees—in one incident, Lewandowski fired a U.S. Coast Guard pilot after Noem’s blanket was left behind on a plane ..”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
"The letter did not threaten an investigation or legal action but placed pressure on Apple to feature more conservative outlets in its app, which offers articles from more than 500 different publications..."
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Trump’s campaign against ‘left-wing’ media finds a new target: Apple News
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson wrote a letter to Apple that warned the company its choice of articles in Apple News could violate the law.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:21 AM
"The letter did not threaten an investigation or legal action but placed pressure on Apple to feature more conservative outlets in its app, which offers articles from more than 500 different publications..."
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Jon Collins
“All along the way, the community has stepped up with our whistles, with our cell phones and with our bodies to defend our neighbors,” Communities United Against Police Brutality president Michelle Gross said.
“But what do we see from our public officials? They have utterly failed us.”
“But what do we see from our public officials? They have utterly failed us.”
Minneapolis activists press local leaders to respond to federal surge
Minneapolis activists say state leaders have failed to act as federal agents arrest protesters and residents during an ongoing federal surge.
www.mprnews.org
February 12, 2026 at 11:36 PM
“All along the way, the community has stepped up with our whistles, with our cell phones and with our bodies to defend our neighbors,” Communities United Against Police Brutality president Michelle Gross said.
“But what do we see from our public officials? They have utterly failed us.”
“But what do we see from our public officials? They have utterly failed us.”
Reposted by Jon Collins
Free Speech in Deep Freeze: On the ground in Minnesota, where journalists are working to tell the truth about government-sanctioned violence and spin, writes @jcollins.bsky.social.
"As residents remind me all the time, “No one is coming to save us.”"
niemanreports.org/minneapolis-...
"As residents remind me all the time, “No one is coming to save us.”"
niemanreports.org/minneapolis-...
Free Speech in Deep Freeze - Nieman Reports
On the ground in Minnesota, where journalists are working to tell the truth about government-sanctioned violence and spin
niemanreports.org
February 12, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Free Speech in Deep Freeze: On the ground in Minnesota, where journalists are working to tell the truth about government-sanctioned violence and spin, writes @jcollins.bsky.social.
"As residents remind me all the time, “No one is coming to save us.”"
niemanreports.org/minneapolis-...
"As residents remind me all the time, “No one is coming to save us.”"
niemanreports.org/minneapolis-...
Reposted by Jon Collins
The immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is ending, said Tom Homan, the border czar for President Donald Trump.
“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said.
“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said.
Border czar Tom Homan: Immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota coming to an end
Homan addressed reporters Thursday morning at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, the base for the ongoing federal immigration operation in Minnesota.
www.mprnews.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:21 PM
The immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is ending, said Tom Homan, the border czar for President Donald Trump.
“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said.
“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said.
Reposted by Jon Collins
Investigators say one immigration official abused his girlfriend for years. Another admitted he sexually abused a woman in his custody. A third is charged with taking bribes.
As ICE expands, an AP review of crimes committed by agents shows how their powers can be abused
Investigators say one immigration official abused his girlfriend for years. Another admitted he sexually abused a woman in his custody. A third is charged with taking bribes.
www.mprnews.org
February 11, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Investigators say one immigration official abused his girlfriend for years. Another admitted he sexually abused a woman in his custody. A third is charged with taking bribes.
Reposted by Jon Collins
A Dakota prayer camp has gone up across the highway from Whipple Federal Building to protest U.S. immigration enforcement. Organizers draw connections between current practices and historical injustices.
Indigenous group speaks out against immigration enforcement with prayer camp
A Dakota prayer camp has gone up across the highway from Whipple Federal Building to protest U.S. immigration enforcement. Organizers draw connections between current practices and historical injustic...
www.mprnews.org
February 11, 2026 at 8:04 PM
A Dakota prayer camp has gone up across the highway from Whipple Federal Building to protest U.S. immigration enforcement. Organizers draw connections between current practices and historical injustices.
Reposted by Jon Collins
The St. Paul Police Department said a multi-car crash on Wednesday was caused by federal agents pursuing a person in a vehicle. The person being pursued had non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital.
Federal agents at scene of multi-car crash in St. Paul
A multi-car crash Wednesday in St. Paul at the intersection of Western Avenue North and Selby Avenue appeared to involve federal agents.
www.mprnews.org
February 11, 2026 at 8:36 PM
The St. Paul Police Department said a multi-car crash on Wednesday was caused by federal agents pursuing a person in a vehicle. The person being pursued had non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital.
Reposted by Jon Collins
More than 8,200 permit to carry applications were filed in the state in January. For populations worried about their safety during the ICE surge, ownership seems like a path to security.
These sex workers in Minneapolis never thought they would own a gun. Then ICE came to town
More than 8,200 permit to carry applications were filed in the state in January. For populations worried about their safety during the ICE surge, ownership seems like a path to security.
www.mprnews.org
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 PM
More than 8,200 permit to carry applications were filed in the state in January. For populations worried about their safety during the ICE surge, ownership seems like a path to security.
"Military officials deployed its new anti-drone technology earlier this week against what officials thought was a cartel drone, but turned out to be a party balloon. That operation was carried out without proper coordination with the F.A.A...."
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
Military’s Use of Anti-Drone Technology Said to Cause El Paso Airspace Closure
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:15 AM
"Military officials deployed its new anti-drone technology earlier this week against what officials thought was a cartel drone, but turned out to be a party balloon. That operation was carried out without proper coordination with the F.A.A...."
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
Reposted by Jon Collins
JUST IN: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says Border Patrol agent Charles Exum, who shot Chicago's Marimar Martinez, "was placed on administrative leave":
February 11, 2026 at 10:27 PM
JUST IN: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says Border Patrol agent Charles Exum, who shot Chicago's Marimar Martinez, "was placed on administrative leave":
Reposted by Jon Collins
The person photographed here who is in their bathrobe filming armed, masked federal agents in St. Paul is MPR News journalist @samstroozas.bsky.social @mprnews.org . She is an incredible journalist and person. We do not deserve her.
A high-speed car chase involving a federal agent in St. Paul ended with a multi-vehicle crash and injuries to the fleeing driver, who was taken away in an ambulance. bit.ly/4kvJo0M
📸: Leila Navidi
📸: Leila Navidi
February 11, 2026 at 9:26 PM
The person photographed here who is in their bathrobe filming armed, masked federal agents in St. Paul is MPR News journalist @samstroozas.bsky.social @mprnews.org . She is an incredible journalist and person. We do not deserve her.
Reposted by Jon Collins
🚨 SCOOP: The IRS improperly disclosed confidential immigrant tax information to DHS, per sources.
It opens up HUGE liability for the US government.
Trump is suing the IRS over substantially the same disclosures -- for $10 billion.
🎁 Gift link:
It opens up HUGE liability for the US government.
Trump is suing the IRS over substantially the same disclosures -- for $10 billion.
🎁 Gift link:
IRS improperly disclosed confidential immigrant tax data to DHS
The tax agency only recently discovered it improperly disclosed tax information on thousands of the wrong people to immigration enforcement.
wapo.st
February 11, 2026 at 3:23 PM
🚨 SCOOP: The IRS improperly disclosed confidential immigrant tax information to DHS, per sources.
It opens up HUGE liability for the US government.
Trump is suing the IRS over substantially the same disclosures -- for $10 billion.
🎁 Gift link:
It opens up HUGE liability for the US government.
Trump is suing the IRS over substantially the same disclosures -- for $10 billion.
🎁 Gift link:
Reposted by Jon Collins
in a text string after the shooting, a fellow agent told Exum he's a "legend"
"Beers on me"
"Beers on me"
February 10, 2026 at 11:46 PM
in a text string after the shooting, a fellow agent told Exum he's a "legend"
"Beers on me"
"Beers on me"
Reposted by Jon Collins
An agent told the teen to call her family and ask them to pick her up. But the agent said that if they came, ICE would send the entire family to Texas. The girl writes “My family decided not to come and pick me up as a result of this threat. ICE decided to take me to a hotel.”
tinyurl.com/3nkf9sbd
tinyurl.com/3nkf9sbd
After arrest, teen refugee held overnight in hotel room by ICE agents
A girl who entered the United States as a refugee alleges that immigration authorities separated her from her family and detained her overnight in a hotel, where she was forced to share a room with fe...
www.mprnews.org
February 11, 2026 at 12:00 AM
An agent told the teen to call her family and ask them to pick her up. But the agent said that if they came, ICE would send the entire family to Texas. The girl writes “My family decided not to come and pick me up as a result of this threat. ICE decided to take me to a hotel.”
tinyurl.com/3nkf9sbd
tinyurl.com/3nkf9sbd
Reposted by Jon Collins
US Olympic Curling Team member speaks out against ICE:
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
February 10, 2026 at 8:58 PM
US Olympic Curling Team member speaks out against ICE:
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
Reposted by Jon Collins
ICE agents knocked on Wilmer Andrade’s door claiming a warrant for his arrest. He has a work permit, a pending visa application and no final order of removal. In Operation Metro Surge, people like him are targets.
ICE increasingly targeting Minnesota immigrants with active work permits
ICE agents knocked on Wilmer Andrade’s door claiming a warrant for his arrest. He has a work permit, a pending visa application and no final order of removal. In Operation Metro Surge, people like him...
sahanjournal.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:42 PM
ICE agents knocked on Wilmer Andrade’s door claiming a warrant for his arrest. He has a work permit, a pending visa application and no final order of removal. In Operation Metro Surge, people like him are targets.
Reposted by Jon Collins
ICE has been tracking the names of protesters in an internal database for several months, according to two US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss operations reut.rs/46wwn1j
ICE is cracking down on people who follow them in their cars
Becky Ringstrom was heading home after following federal immigration officers in her gray Kia SUV in suburban Minneapolis when she was suddenly boxed in by unmarked vehicles.
reut.rs
February 10, 2026 at 1:21 PM
ICE has been tracking the names of protesters in an internal database for several months, according to two US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss operations reut.rs/46wwn1j
Reposted by Jon Collins
"Journalists need to be present and invested in our communities. Lately, that has meant freezing our toes off to cover the confrontations between ICE agents and residents, or getting hit with the tear gas or pepper spray federal agents routinely deploy."
niemanreports.org/minneapolis-...
niemanreports.org/minneapolis-...
Free Speech in Deep Freeze - Nieman Reports
On the ground in Minnesota, where journalists are working to tell the truth about government-sanctioned violence and spin
niemanreports.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:43 PM
"Journalists need to be present and invested in our communities. Lately, that has meant freezing our toes off to cover the confrontations between ICE agents and residents, or getting hit with the tear gas or pepper spray federal agents routinely deploy."
niemanreports.org/minneapolis-...
niemanreports.org/minneapolis-...
Reposted by Jon Collins
Sitting here snapping at my zoom screen with all the important things that @arelisrhdz.bsky.social @adriancarrasquillo.bsky.social @lapublicpress.bsky.social's Michelle Zenarosa and @jcollins.bsky.social are sharing via @nationalpress.bsky.social about covering immigration arrests in this moment 1
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Sitting here snapping at my zoom screen with all the important things that @arelisrhdz.bsky.social @adriancarrasquillo.bsky.social @lapublicpress.bsky.social's Michelle Zenarosa and @jcollins.bsky.social are sharing via @nationalpress.bsky.social about covering immigration arrests in this moment 1