Here in the North Star State, “ice out” used to refer to a springtime limnological phenomenon, when a freshwater lake’s frozen surface transitions to liquid. However, since the beginning of December 2025, the phrase has become a chant, a mantra, and a call to action posted on yard signs, lamp posts, and store windows. You can see ICE OUT graffitied on concrete bridge archways and pinned to the high visibility vests worn by volunteer school patrols. You can hear the words snarled by constitutional observers honking their cars behind federal agent convoys. In late Januaryyou could have watched snow shovel activistscarve out six giant letters into the frozen surface of Lake Nokomisin South Minneapolis, then light them up with luminaries so the message could be seen from airplanes landing at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport. “ICE out” sentiment is embedded in the relentless organization of mutual aid that supports vulnerable community members who are sheltering in place to avoid abduction by ICE and Border Patrol agents. While this might seem like a geographically specific, colloquially charming anomaly—a ruddy-faced, wind-chapped rebellion dressed in snowsuits and fueled by tater-tot hotdish—residents in other sanctuary cities should dog-ear this chapter in Trump’s retribution playbook. They should highlight Minnesotans’ strategies and be ready to apply them when the Department of Homeland Security chooses its next undeserving victims on Stephen Miller’s racist retribution tour of blue states.

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