Protesters occupy Target stores statewide, pressing retailer to confront immigration enforcement as new CEO steps in

On January 31, coordinated sit-ins and marches unfolded inside Target stores across Minnesota, as protesters urged the Minneapolis-based retailer to take a public stand against federal immigration enforcement activity in the state. The actions, organized by a coalition of faith, labor, and immigrant rights groups, marked one of the most visible escalations yet in a growing campaign aimed at compelling the company to oppose what activists describe as the harms of Operation Metro Surge.

Organizers said protests were planned at at least 19 Target locations statewide. Demonstrators entered stores in coordinated groups, marching through aisles, chanting, and in some cases sitting on the ground to sing. Videos shared on social media showed crowds inside stores in downtown Minneapolis and across the Twin Cities region.

The largest gathering occurred at the Target store in Richfield, where more than 100 protesters marched in a loop around the store for approximately 30 minutes. Participants held signs reading “Target support your community not ICE abuse,” “Abolish ICE,” and “Shut Down Target to Kick ICE Out.” The protest concluded peacefully, with demonstrators escorted out by local police, who then stood guard at the store entrance. Officers at the scene declined to comment.

Why Richfield mattered

The Richfield store has taken on symbolic weight in recent weeks. Earlier this month, two Target employees who are United States citizens were detained by federal immigration agents at the location, an incident that drew widespread attention and prompted earlier demonstrations. Activists have also pointed to reports that federal agents have used Target parking lots for staging during enforcement operations.

Those incidents have intensified questions about the role and responsibility of large, public-facing employers when immigration enforcement enters retail spaces that are open to the public.

A source familiar with company policy told local media that Target does not have a cooperative agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other immigration agencies. That policy, however, does not prevent federal agents from entering public areas of stores.

The Associated Press has previously reported that immigration officers may legally enter public spaces of a business, just like any other member of the public. According to John Medeiros, who leads the corporate immigration practice at Nilan Johnson Lewis, a Minneapolis-based law firm, access to nonpublic areas typically requires consent or a judicial warrant. The distinction has become central to debates over what businesses can realistically do in real time when enforcement actions occur.

What protesters are demanding

The January 31 protests were organized by multiple groups, including ISAIAH, Indivisible Twin Cities, and Unidos MN. Organizers said they were calling on Target to “stand with Minnesotans” and to publicly oppose the presence of ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the state.

Their demands referenced recent fatal encounters involving federal agents, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which have become rallying points for opponents of Operation Metro Surge. Clergy and activists have argued that silence or neutrality from major Minnesota employers effectively enables continued enforcement activity.

Earlier this month, clergy staged a sit-in at Target’s headquarters in downtown Minneapolis, signaling that pressure on the company would not be confined to retail locations.

A leadership transition under strain

The protests have coincided with a pivotal leadership moment for Target. In January 2026, Michael Fiddelke stepped into a high-stakes transition as the company’s incoming chief executive. He is scheduled to officially assume the role on February 1.

On January 26, Fiddelke addressed employees in an internal video message that sought to acknowledge the moment without taking an explicit political stance. According to accounts shared with local media, he described the recent violence and loss of life in the Twin Cities as “incredibly painful” and spoke personally about raising his family in the region.

“What’s happening affects us not just as a company, but as people, as neighbors, friends and family members within Target,” Fiddelke said in the message. “We are doing everything we can to manage what’s in our control, always keeping the safety of our team and guests our top priority.”

The message was notable for what it emphasized and what it avoided. Fiddelke focused on safety and de-escalation and did not name specific federal agencies, elected officials, or Operation Metro Surge itself. That approach has drawn criticism from activists and some employees who argue that neutrality in the face of enforcement activity is insufficient.

Corporate response and criticism

After remaining publicly silent for more than a week following the death of Renee Good, Target joined more than 60 Minnesota companies in signing a January 25 letter coordinated by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. The letter called for an “immediate deescalation of tensions” and urged state, local, and federal officials to work together toward solutions.

The letter was quickly criticized by elected officials. Minneapolis City Council Member Aurin Chowdhury said that if corporate leaders truly wanted the situation to change, they could leverage their economic power to force it. State Rep. Mike Howard called the statement “far from sufficient.”

For activists occupying Target stores days later, the letter underscored what they see as a pattern of cautious, collective action that stops short of direct opposition.

Economic response without political alignment

Alongside its public statements, Target has taken part in a significant financial response. On January 27, the Minneapolis Foundation announced that nearly 30 Minnesota-based corporations had come together to seed a $3.5 million Economic Response Fund.

Target joined companies including Best Buy, General Mills, and U.S. Bank in contributing to the fund, which is designed to provide immediate grants to small businesses. The foundation said the program prioritizes immigrant-owned businesses and commercial corridors that have experienced sharp revenue declines, with some businesses reporting losses of up to 80 percent amid enforcement activity and protests.

By participating in the fund and signing the Chamber letter, Target has shifted from near silence to what corporate leaders have described as collective action. The strategy appears aimed at supporting the local economy and community stability without positioning the company as the singular corporate face of a political confrontation.

The road ahead

The January 31 sit-ins fit into a broader pattern of escalating protest, legal challenges, and civic strain tied to Operation Metro Surge. With federal courts allowing the enforcement campaign to continue as litigation proceeds, the conflict shows little sign of immediate resolution.

For Target, the questions ahead are both practical and reputational. How the company trains employees to respond to law enforcement activity, how it communicates with workers and customers, and how its new chief executive navigates mounting pressure to take a clearer public stance will shape its role in a moment that protesters insist is no longer abstract.

Inside stores, on sidewalks, and in boardrooms, Minnesota’s largest retailer now finds itself at the intersection of commerce, community, and a national debate playing out in local aisles.

MinneapoliMedia