Teenage Brothers Trade Classrooms for Frontline ICE Watch in Minneapolis
On the Front Lines of Immigration Enforcement: The Teenage Watchers
MINNEAPOLIS — In the frozen streets of South Minneapolis, two figures have become a familiar sight to federal immigration agents: teenage brothers Sam, 17, and Ben Luhmann, 16, armed with smartphones, a GoPro camera, and unwavering determination. To the Department of Homeland Security personnel they track daily, they are simply known as “the brothers.”
What began as a civic response to ICE’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in their hometown of Chicago last fall has evolved into a full-time mission. The siblings now follow the shifting epicenter of U.S. immigration enforcement to the Twin Cities, where a massive federal presence dubbed “Operation Metro Surge” has sparked widespread community resistance.
They are part of a burgeoning network of trained observers—parents, teachers, clergy—across Minnesota, documenting encounters and alerting communities via encrypted group chats. Their work unfolds against a backdrop of national debate over the limits of enforcement and the right to monitor government agents.
“There’s a lot of things I’d rather be doing,” admits Sam, who saved for a year to buy his GoPro for fly-fishing, not filming arrests. “But I feel like people have to do something. This is happening, it’s not okay, and I’m gonna do something about it.”
The Trump administration has condemned such monitoring. Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has equated recording agents on operations with “violence.” Officials argue the observers escalate tensions, while advocates counter that transparency is essential to check potential abuses.
For the Luhmann brothers, days are spent trailing suspected federal vehicles in their Toyota Corolla, braving subzero temperatures to film. Evenings are for uploading footage and catching up on homeschool assignments. Their mother, Audrey, who educates them, balances worry with pride. “As a parent, how could I say no?” she asks. “How could I say, ‘just ignore this for now, we’ll read about it in history books later’?”
The scale in Minneapolis is staggering. A late January DHS court filing noted roughly 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents in the area—a presence the agency called its “largest operation ever.” The brothers describe tactics more aggressive than those they witnessed in Chicago. “It’s a blatant disregard for human rights,” Ben states. “They brutalize people.”
DHS strongly denies allegations of racial profiling or brutality, stating enforcement is based on immigration status, not race. A spokesperson said such claims contribute to a “more than 1300% increase in assaults” against officers.
The deaths of two individuals—Renee Good, linked to monitoring efforts, and Alex Pretti, shot by federal agents—have galvanized the observer movement. Local advocacy group COPAL reported a tripling in sign-ups for legal observer training after Good’s death. “It really is a remarkable moment,” said COPAL’s Ryan Perez.
Supported by donations for gas and warm socks, the brothers couch-surf, committed to their patrols. They see it as an invaluable, if harrowing, education. “We’re seeing things most Americans will never see,” Ben reflects.
Their father, Andrew, a college professor, draws on faith to explain their support: “We see Jesus always going to the places of greatest need… We’re not going to tell them not to do that.”
As the national debate rages, Sam and Ben Luhmann continue their watch, believing any risk is worth it to ensure the country witnesses what they see.
Voices from the Community
Maria Chen, 42, Community Organizer: “These boys embody the courage we wish we all had. They’re not just watching; they’re bearing witness in the truest sense, creating a public record that history will judge.”
David Park, 38, Local Business Owner: “It’s a complex situation. While I understand the desire for oversight, having large groups tracking law enforcement can destabilize neighborhoods. There has to be a balance between safety and accountability.”
Rebecca Vance, 55, Former Public Defender: “This is what happens when trust in institutions evaporates. Citizens, even teenagers, feel compelled to become auditors of state power. It’s a damning indictment of our current enforcement policies.”
Mark Thorson, 61, Retired Police Sergeant (Sharply Critical): “This is reckless and naive. These kids are playing a dangerous game, interfering with federal operations and putting themselves and agents at risk. They’re being used as pawns by activist groups with an agenda. Their parents should be held accountable for endangering minors.”