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ICE Raids Hit Target Stores and Hyundai Plant as Minnesota Businesses Face Heightened Enforcement

Updated (2 articles)

Surge in Workplace Raids Targets Retail and Manufacturing ICE agents conducted enforcement actions at Target locations in Minnesota and at Hyundai’s automobile plant in Georgia, showing that both retail and factory sites are now focal points of sweeps [1][2]. The raids are part of a broader increase in worksite inspections that began under the Trump administration and have continued into the current year [1][2]. Agents often appear in public areas such as parking lots and lobbies, creating immediate operational disruptions for businesses [1][2].

Employers Respond with I‑9 Audits and Legal Preparations Companies are accelerating internal I‑9 verification audits, with labor‑law experts noting that ICE now shows up in full tactical gear and gives employers as little as three days to respond [2]. Legal guidance emphasizes reviewing every employee’s I‑9 form, designating an immigration point person, and posting “staff‑only” signage to limit warrantless entry [1]. Employers are also distributing “red cards” that outline Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights and advising workers on how to document encounters [1].

Corporate Leaders Call for De‑Escalation Amid Violence After the Border Patrol killing of Alex Pretti, more than sixty Minnesota CEOs—including executives from Target, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth—signed a letter urging state, local, and federal officials to reduce tension [2]. Target’s incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke sent a video to 400,000 employees describing the recent violence as “incredibly painful” and joined the de‑escalation effort [2]. Other corporations such as Home Depot and Hilton have declined comment, highlighting varied corporate responses [2].

Warrant Requirements Remain Contentious After ICE Memo An internal ICE memorandum claims that administrative warrants suffice for entry into private spaces, challenging the long‑standing rule that only judicial warrants permit such access [2]. The agency maintains the right to enter any public area of a business without a warrant, but the memo’s interpretation has sparked legal debate over constitutional protections [2]. Experts warn that this ambiguity could further increase the chilling effect on businesses across the country [1][2].

Sources (2 articles)

Timeline

2017‑2021 – Worksite raids surge under President Trump’s policy to expand detention and deportation of unauthorized non‑citizens, raising nationwide compliance risk for employers. [1]

2025 (approx.) – ICE circulates an internal memo claiming administrative warrants allow agents to enter private homes, challenging the long‑standing judicial‑warrant requirement and sparking constitutional disputes. [2]

2025 (approx.) – U.S. Border Patrol kills Alex Pretti, triggering corporate backlash and calls for de‑escalation of immigration enforcement. [2]

Jan 26, 2026 – DHS launches its “largest operation ever” in Minneapolis, forcing hotels, restaurants and retailers to temporarily close or halt reservations as protests spread across the city. [2]

Jan 26, 2026 – More than 60 Minnesota CEOs, including leaders from Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth, sign a de‑escalation letter urging state, local and federal officials to reduce immigration‑related tension after the Pretti killing. [2]

Jan 26, 2026 – ICE raids detain two Target employees, seize day‑laborers in Home Depot parking lots, and conduct a large raid at Hyundai’s Georgia plant, illustrating a broader pattern of enforcement targeting major retailers and manufacturers. [2]

Jan 26, 2026 – ICE agents appear in full tactical gear, often without clear identification, to perform on‑site I‑9 audits, giving employers only three days to respond and creating operational disruptions. [2]

Jan 26, 2026 – Target’s incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke records a video to 400,000 workers calling recent violence “incredibly painful” and signs the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s de‑escalation letter; Home Depot and Hilton decline comment. [2]

Jan 27, 2026 – Legal experts advise employers to audit every employee’s I‑9 form using checklists such as Fisher Phillips’ guide, designate an immigration point person and enforce warrant protocols to mitigate raid risk. [1]

Jan 27, 2026 – Companies distribute “red cards” that outline Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights, encouraging workers to assert constitutional protections and document any ICE seizure as part of preparedness measures. [1]

Jan 27, 2026 – Employers are urged to post “Staff only” signage to reinforce policies that restrict ICE entry to non‑public areas without a court‑issued warrant, reducing exposure to unlawful searches. [1]

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