Initiating a significant uproar on social media, Jacob Frey, the progressive mayor of Minneapolis, declared his intention to oppose President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies in a recent announcement. Frey asserted that his city will serve as a ‘sanctuary’ for undocumented immigrants and transgender individuals, while sharing the stage with Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar.
Jacob Frey’s time as mayor of Minneapolis has been fraught with controversy. As a member of the far-left Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, he has been criticized for his management of the 2020 George Floyd riots and for the rising cost of living in the city.
The narrative was first revealed by the well-known conservative figure, Libs of TikTok, who shared a video of Frey expressing his views while ‘squad’ member Ilhan Omar observed. In a post dated March 21, 2025, she stated, ‘The Mayor of Minneapolis, alongside Ilhan Omar, proclaims that his city will serve as a sanctuary for undocumented criminals and that he will offer them protection.’
In his contentious speech, Mayor Frey vowed to oppose Donald Trump. He stated, ‘I want everyone to understand our position regarding our neighbors. Minneapolis will remain a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants and our transgender community, irrespective of your identity or origin. Minneapolis is a city that you should take pride in calling home.’
In the responses to Libs of TikTok’s post, conservative users expressed their outrage at the insensitive remarks. Numerous individuals criticized the emphasis on immigration, considering the challenges confronting the residents of Minneapolis. One comment stated, ‘Minneapolis presently has the highest rates of distressed loans in the nation. This indicates that residents are defaulting on their housing obligations more rapidly than in any other city, a situation attributed to the ‘progressive’ policies of this individual and Governor Tim Walz.’
Expanding on this matter, others have suggested that Frey’s comments could be considered criminal. One response stated, ‘Facilitating a foreign invasion is the very definition of treason.’ Another individual inquired, ‘What is the left’s fixation on protecting criminals? An @IlhanMN exemplifies a criminal who should not be in the spotlight! She ought to be imprisoned for her immigration fraud.’ In agreement with the earlier statement, one comment asserted, ‘Ilhan Omar is among those who ought to be deported. @PamBondi @RealTomHoman when will you take action to hold this individual accountable for immigration fraud???’
Continuing the criticism, additional responses condemn the actions of leftist politicians in Minnesota. One comment expressed, ‘I was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the early 1990s; the ‘mini-apple’ was a delightful place to reside. The city has now deteriorated into a deplorable state and is completely unrecognizable. If you possess a strong work ethic and a sense of morality, I strongly advise you to depart as soon as possible…’
In conclusion, various individuals humorously suggested that this situation might benefit the broader United States. One commenter stated, ‘This is excellent. It encourages them to leave the general populace and gather in a single location. Indeed, head to Minneapolis, the sanctuary city… I wish you all the best there.’ Another added, ‘Red states ought to relocate their undocumented immigrants to Minneapolis. Let us observe how quickly the city faces financial ruin while supporting them all.’
