News Summary
Recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis have sparked significant public outcry and state-level resistance. The situation draws parallels to a civil war simulation conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, which emphasized risks of escalation between federal and state authorities. The simulation and current events highlight a deepening crisis in Minnesota as lawsuits are filed against federal operations, reflecting concerns over constitutional rights and civil society’s wellbeing.
Minneapolis
A recent civil war simulation conducted by the University of Pennsylvania has drawn stark parallels to the escalating tensions currently unfolding in Minneapolis, where federal immigration enforcement actions have intensified. Professor Claire Finkelstein, a director of the simulation, highlighted the “risk of escalation” as federal and state authorities navigate a deepening crisis in Minnesota. The simulation, which explored scenarios of friction between different levels of government, is seen as mirroring the present-day situation where federal immigration operations have led to significant public and governmental pushback at the state level.
Deepening Crisis in Minnesota
Since December 2025, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection have been conducting “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota, initially targeting Minneapolis and Saint Paul, before expanding statewide. This operation has been characterized by an increase in the severity of ICE tactics, including harassment and threats. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 ICE agents have been deployed to the state.
The federal actions have resulted in thousands of arrests, including U.S. citizens, and have had a significant impact on civil society in Minnesota. Tragically, two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, have been shot and killed by federal agents, and another individual died while in ICE custody. These events have sparked widespread protests across Minneapolis. Schools in Minneapolis have taken measures to protect students from ICE activity, with reports indicating that up to 50% of students have been too afraid to attend classes.
Legal and State Response
In response to the escalating situation, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mobilized the state National Guard on January 17. Both Minnesota and the Twin Cities have filed lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security, asserting that the federal operations are unconstitutional due to violations of the state’s sovereign authority under the Tenth Amendment. The lawsuits also contend that the operations involve illegal actions such as unlawful seizures, excessive force, and retaliation. Further underscoring concerns about federal overreach, a Minnesota chief U.S. District judge determined that ICE violated at least 96 court orders within Minnesota since January 1, 2026.
The Penn Civil War Simulation
The simulation, conducted in October 2024 by the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) at the University of Pennsylvania, was designed to test the resilience of the U.S. system against domestic conflict scenarios. Professor Claire Finkelstein, who serves as the faculty director of CERL, oversaw the exercise. The simulation modeled a situation where a president initiated a widely unpopular federal law enforcement operation in a major U.S. city, attempting to federalize the state’s National Guard. When the governor resisted and the National Guard remained loyal to the state, the simulated scenario involved the deployment of active-duty troops, culminating in an armed confrontation between state and federal forces.
A key finding from the simulation was the potential ineffectiveness of courts in rapidly evolving civil emergencies, suggesting that judicial intervention might be too slow or unwilling to provide timely relief to state officials. This could leave states without meaningful legal recourse. The core danger identified by the simulation was the possibility of a violent confrontation between state and federal military forces within a major American city. While the hypothetical scenario in the simulation initially focused on Philadelphia, the conclusions regarding the potential for such “green-on-green violence” are considered directly applicable to the current circumstances in Minnesota.
Broader Context of Civil Rights and University Initiatives
In a related development, the University of Pennsylvania has also initiated ‘non-discrimination’ Title VI training for its members. This training underscores the University’s commitment to upholding civil rights and ensuring an inclusive environment. Nationwide, various civil rights protections exist to safeguard individuals from discrimination. These include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a comprehensive civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Additionally, claims under the First Amendment or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) often run parallel to Title VII accommodation claims concerning religious discrimination. These foundational legal frameworks aim to prevent abuses of power and protect the rights and liberties of all individuals.
Key Features of the Penn Civil War Simulation and Minneapolis Events
| Feature | Penn Civil War Simulation (2024) | Current Events in Minneapolis/Minnesota (2025-2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted By | Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) at the University of Pennsylvania | N/A (Refers to real-world events) |
| Director/Lead Commentator | Professor Claire Finkelstein | Professor Claire Finkelstein (commenting on parallels) |
| Simulated/Actual Federal Operation | Unpopular federal law enforcement operation | “Operation Metro Surge” by ICE and Customs and Border Protection |
| Area of Focus | Hypothetical major U.S. city (initially Philadelphia) | Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and broader Minnesota |
| State Response | Governor resists federalization of National Guard; Guard remains loyal to state | Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mobilized National Guard; State and Twin Cities filed lawsuits |
| Federal Escalation | Deployment of active-duty troops | Deployment of 2,000-3,000 ICE agents; Escalation in ICE tactics |
| Outcome/Risk Identified | Armed conflict between state and federal forces; Violent confrontation (“green-on-green violence”) | Tensions between state and federal authorities; Fatal shootings of U.S. citizens; Thousands arrested |
| Judicial Role | Courts likely unable to intervene effectively in fast-moving emergency | Minnesota chief U.S. District judge found ICE violated 96 court orders |
| Broader Impact | Testing system resilience against domestic conflict | Disruption of civil society; Schools affected; Widespread protests |
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