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Twenty people were flown out of Minneapolis by ICE today. If you may have had a loved on board, full footage can be seen here: youtube.com/watch?v=xYA0I6s7fKw

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 03/10/2026

These people were being flown to Alexandria, Louisiana, where Markwayne Mullin was doing a glamour shots session with shackles. I don't believe I've seen this particular fat GEO Group contractor chaining folks here in Minneapolis, but I might be mistaken.

Immigrants are chained up in front of a Global X A320

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 03/10/2026

40 people on today's ICE flight out of Minneapolis, 38 men, and two women. If a loved one may have been aboard, full footage of the loading can be seen here: youtube.com/watch?v=UaNQj8rTpJo

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 01/10/2026

In addition to camera equipment, we'll be supporting habeasflightwatch.org, an automated, volunteer curated system that keeps tabs on the dozens of ICE Air flights that take place every day.

A map showing dozens of ICE Air flight tracks across the US

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 30/09/2026

24 detainees were flown out of Minnesota today by ICE Air, two women, and 22 men. Each of them had to stand in the rain for a few minutes while they were frisked and had their shackles checked. If a loved one may have been aboard, full video is here: youtube.com/watch?v=gxeMuYDJ3Ns

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 28/09/2026

Now *this* is some amazing kitsch political messaging.

A big foot holds a sign about missing Pete Stauber.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 26/09/2026

A woman and an elderly man among the 24 shackled detainees loaded onto ICE Air today at Signature Aviation's facility at Minneapolis-St. Paul International. If a loved one may have been on the flight, full video can be seen here: youtube.com/watch?v=87LQru0HiSg It was a busy week; please scroll 🧵👇

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 24/09/2026

Remember when the GOP was running against the Democrats taking away hamburgers?

McDonald's bets on chicken to win back diners as beef prices soar

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 23/09/2026

In short, we can't trust DHS, and our local airport authority, the MAC, is spineless. Suggest we follow the Seattle model, where flights are loaded/unloaded on webcam and numbers are compiled into monthly report. We suggest improving further by adding provision to escort in-situ observers.

Policy Concerns

DHS is an unreliable source of information

State airport authority, MAC, oversees MSP, is appointed by governor, mayors

MAC is laissez-faire with observation, advocacy, protests

MAC defers comment acknowledgment of ICE Activity at MSP to DHS

Lack of opinion is fine, but acknowledging reality would be positive step

ICE took airport employees who’d cleared fed background checks

19% of July’s ICE arrests took place at MSP

MAC cannot rely on unions and heavyset hippies for difficult talking points

Policy Solutions

MAC policy update allowing comms to acknowledge ICE activity at MSP

State: statute requiring MSP follow Seattle model, with some extras:

Livestream ICE Air activity

Email notice for inbound flights

Monthly reports on activity

Escort media/non-profit observers in-situ

Federal: abolish ICE, other misc. fantasies

Thank You

Nick Benson
Ottergoose.net
MN50501.org/donate
HabeasFlightWatch.org

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 23/09/2026

There were two to three flights per day during Metro Surge; we've settled down to two per week, for the most part, since then. Napkin math suggests our estimates were accurate to within one person per flight. Information was/is shared in real-time, helps get attention from press.

Number of ICE Air flights per week at MSP, crescendo to 13-15 / week in January, settling to two per week in March.

Napkin Math Accuracy

* MPR News analysis of DeportationData.org data: 3,789 arrests Dec 1 - March 10

* Our estimate for Dec 2 - March 13 was 3,644

* 30 arrests under 16; assuming 1 parent per 2 kids leaving on Delta, gets us to 3,644 + 45 = 3,689

* (3,789 - 3,689) / 95 flights =1.05

* Many ways this could be bogus, but numbers pass initial sniff test

Information Sharing

* Share flight info, stats, photos, and video through social media

* Initially a static spreadsheet was shared upon request

* Online spreadsheet and summary dashboard are now available and updated in realtime (ottergoose.net)

* Caught attention of the press…

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 23/09/2026

We've counted directly, looking through optics, or by reviewing video footage from high-zoom cameras. In the case of Liam, we used a public records request to obtain footage from MSP to see him getting loaded onto a Delta flight with his father.

Method: Count - In-situ (32%)

* Watch loading directly using a DSLR camera with telephoto lens

* Requires focus for a process that takes ~30 minutes

* Prone to error - losing count, miss-identifying detainees vs. staff at large distances

Method: Count - Video Review (35%)

* Record video of loading in-situ

* Review footage at home to get count

* Nikon P950 - 5x more zoom than previous 400mm DSLR optics

* Two cameras, one tight / static view, another to get context

* Video is better for a variety of reasons - families can review, better awareness on social platforms

Method: Public Records Request (~0%)

* Detailed timeline from Liam’s school, lawyers

* Have seen many board ICE Air charters, never any children at MSP

* Reporting from MPR that kids fly commercial

* Submitted records request to MSP PD for security camera footage morning flight MSP-SAT

* Sahan Journal reported 70+ children detained in Metro Surge

A graph showing weekly detainees loaded on ICE Air by method at MSP.

There's a sharp peak at 900-975 first two weeks of January, before leveling out in March at 30-90 people per week for the remainder of the year.

Early work was reliant on estimates; by February, nearly all are counted directly via optics or video review.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 23/09/2026

Main observation spot at MSP is about 0.6 miles away from where detainees are loaded. 11/9 - 9/13, we logged 156 flights, ~5,220 removed. Of the 134 days we've noted flights, I've been at the airport to observe for 115 of them. Before counting, we could reliably estimate based on convoy size.

MSP Airport
Minneapolis - St. Paul Int’l

* Signature Aviation FBO / private jet terminal between T1 and T2

* Ft. Snelling National Cemetery (Section U2) ~300m / 1000ft

*Terminal 1 Parking Garage (Gold 7) ~900m / 0.6 miles

Observation

* Nov 9, 2025 - Sept 13, 2026 (ongoing)

* 156 flights, ~5,220 taken away

* A team effort, with a handful of other observers, all volunteers

* Minnesota 50501 covers parking fees, and procured one of our cameras

* Flights have been here on 134 of those days; I’ve been in-situ for 115 of them

Method: Estimate - ICE Convoy (19%)

* Quick and easy, low impact for volunteer observers

* 27 detainees per minibus

* 9 passengers per (n-1) vans

* 3 passengers per SUV, last van

* Example: 3 vans = 9 + 9 + 3 = 21

* Was used extensively during surge when there were 2-3 flights per day at MSP and observers were stretched thin

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 23/09/2026

Here are the slides from my presentation at today's Documenting the Impact of DHS Activity in Minnesota conference at the U of M - Watching ICE Air at MSP: How many are they taking away? This work is done entirely by volunteers; help MN50501 cover our airport parking fees: mn50501.org/donate 🧵👇

Watching ICE Air at MSP
How many are they taking away?
Nick Benson, MN50501, September 22, 2026

Background

Self-employed
* Smart flight alert app for airplane nerds
* Got interested in aviation angle of ICE’s detention apparatus in early 2025
* Got serious about ICE in October 2025
* The most important work I’ll ever do

What is ICE Air?

*ICE Air is a conglomerate of charter airlines that fly detainees between local prisons, detention centers, and out of the country
* “Shuffle” flights are domestic
* Detainees are shackled before/during/after
* Denver Air Connection / Key Lime, Global Crossing, Eastern Air Express
* Akin to FedEx or Amazon, hub/spoke
* ~65,000 currently in ICE detention, ~70% don’t have a criminal conviction

ICE Air at MSP

* Shuffle flights, taking detainees to detention centers via Alexandria, LA and El Paso, TX

* 2-3 flights per day during Metro Surge; now 2-3 per week

* ICE vehicles carry detainees to/from the airport from Whipple

* Loaded at Signature Aviation, the private jet terminal

* Started counting in November

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 22/09/2026

Honored to be at the U of M connecting with other folks doing fascist analytics here in Minnesota today. We’ll be presenting our flight tracking work at 11:15 in the legal track breakout session.

An auditorium, with a speaker at a podium, and large screen reading, “Documenting the Impact of DHS Activity in Minnesota.”

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 15/09/2026

53 detainees were loaded onto today's ICE Air flight at MSP, the most on a single plane since Metro Surge. ICE is still here in Minnesota. If a loved one may have been on the flight, full footage is here: youtube.com/watch?v=cmV1t-kL62U

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 11/09/2026

There are ~65,000 people in ICE detention right now. ~70% don't have a criminal conviction. Per habeasflightwatch.org, over the last 24 hours, 4pm Thu - 4pm Fri CDT, detainees were flown on these tracks by about two dozen aircraft.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 11/09/2026

23 detainees were flown out of Minneapolis today on our ICE Air flight here at MSP. If a loved one may have been aboard, full footage can be seen here: youtube.com/watch?v=7v3_s1ltj60 A new MSP ICE Air stats dashboard is now live: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-msp/dash

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 09/09/2026

Of course, none of this is unique to Minnesota. Here are the last 24 hours of ICE Air flights, as of 7:30 PM CDT on Tuesday, via habeasflightwatch.org

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 09/09/2026

Today's ICE Air flight sent people away from MSP, it also brought in 18 people via El Paso and Omaha - it appears we've begun holding detainees from other areas here in Minnesota. If a loved one may have been on this flight, footage of loading/unloading is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqcs...

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 07/09/2026

28 for me out of MSP, which is flabbergasting; I could pick up five more if counting inbound pairings. I’d have guessed I was significantly further behind you.

A map of CONUS, with lots of lines going to/from Minneapolis.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 05/09/2026

Here's an overview of the observations MN50501 volunteers have tabulated since November. Help pay for our parking: mn50501.org/donate Spreadsheet: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-msp/data Fuck ICE.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 05/09/2026

Nothing about this is unique to Minnesota; here's a map of ICE Air activity from noon Friday to noon Saturday CDT from habeasflightwatch.org There are more than 60,000 people in indefinite detention at ICE facilities. Most of them have no criminal convictions.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 05/09/2026

29 detainees loaded onto yesterday's ICE Air flight in Minneapolis. If a loved one may have been on this flight, full footage of the loading process can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-aF... 🧵👇

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 03/09/2026

Unusual ICE Air flight at MSP today - it brought detainees into Minnesota. Saw this a few times during Metro Surge, but, those were generally people coming back home to MN. This is different - these are detainees getting shuffled out of Pennsylvania. Full clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzPG... 🧵👇

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 02/09/2026

A contractor does some stretches while chained detainees get loaded onto today's ICE Air flight in Minneapolis. Volunteer observers counted 27 people being loaded today at MSP; if a loved one may be amongst them, full footage can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQEQ...

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 29/08/2026

We had three ICE Air flights at MSP this week, the first time that's happened since March. There were 307 detainees loaded in July; we estimate 235 in August. Our data: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-msp/data/

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 29/08/2026

A man in a Randy Moss jersey climbs airstairs. One of Target's business jets arrives. A woman glances at the full-body restraint being put away. 31 ICE detainees loaded onto ICE Air in Minnesota today; if one of them may have been a loved one, full footage is here: youtube.com/watch?v=GhbelaR_qcY

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 28/08/2026

The MSP Airport doesn't need to have an opinion about the 47 people detained by ICE there in July, but they need to pull their head out of the sand and acknowledge reality. It isn't safe to travel at our airports right now. @startribune.com story: www.startribune.com/ice-arrests-...

47 of the 247 ICE detentions in Minnesota took place at the airport.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 26/08/2026

Masked assholes in Minnesota loaded 29 shackled detainees onto yesterday's ICE Air flight at MSP. Legislators: let's ban former ICE/ERO folks from state employment next session. Full video if you may have had loved ones on the flight: youtube.com/watch?v=qXWGmJZwHMc ... and a few more updates 🧵👇

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 19/08/2026

There's nothing unique about ICE Air's operations in Minnesota; if you follow the Habeas Flight Watch dashboard, you can monitor their activity in real-time: habeasflightwatch.org These flights are tracked, observed, and reported by volunteers across the country.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 19/08/2026

This chart shows the weekly count of detainees we've seen boarding ICE Air flights since early November. Five weeks ago, we had our busiest week since early February. The data, which we update in near real-time, can be found here: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-msp/data/

147 flights, 5,010 people since November 9, 2025. A bar graph showing the number of detainees loaded on ICE Air flights each week at MSP, with a sharp crescendo in January.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 19/08/2026

A woman, unable to safely climb stairs on her own, has her leg irons inspected before boarding today's ICE Air flight in Minneapolis. A WRAP full body restraining harness, on the ground to her right, is put away. 16 people were loaded; full footage may be reviewed here: youtu.be/s5CD6KkykZ4

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 15/08/2026

24 shackled detainees were flown to indefinite detention on yesterday's ICE Air flight at MSP. If you may have had a loved one on this flight out of Minneapolis, full footage of loading process can be seen here: youtu.be/yKSlYM3HaPI?si 🧵 Thread 👇

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 14/08/2026

“As seen in Operation Puppet Master”

UCA 5022 arrived at the Augsburg Park library at approximately 5:45 p.m. with UCA 9759. UCA 5022
did not have to register for the event prior to attending. The event was sponsored by 50501
Minnesota. Upon arrival, UCA 5022 walked to the front of the building and saw approximately four
(4) greeters that appeared to be watching the parking lot. After entering the building, UCA 5022 immediately observed a large group of people inside a meeting room immediately to the right as you enter the front doors. UCA 5022 observed a table with two females handing out brochures and whistles. The whistles were in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. The brochures had literature that described the different risk assessments that came with protesting and listed roles that could potentially lead to arrest.
The meeting started at 6:00 p.m. with approximately sixty (60) people in attendance. The meeting seemed to be led by a short male that was approximately twenty-five (25) years of age. The unknown male stated he was the leader of the local chapter of 50501 Minnesota. The organization's primary mission at the moment was to get ICE out of Minneapolis. Prior to operation Metro Surge, the organization protested the "No Kings" movement. Speakers for the organization explained their slogan as "50 Cities. 50 States. 1 Protest." The slogan was then changed to "50 Cities. 50 States. 1 Movement." One of the individuals in attendance was from Portland, Oregon and had come to the meeting to see how the Minneapolis chapter operates.
During the meeting heavy-set male introduced himself as
and spoke about his role in
monitoring deportation flights leaving the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. stated he was a volunteer for the organization and assisted with raising funds for dash cameras to be given to observers operating throughout the city. bragged that there were only 19 people that got onto deportation flights yesterday, when in the past there were hundreds per

day.
encouraged anyone that had contact with Delta Airlines to try and get more information
on the deportation flights.
further stated that Delta Airlines is the only company that has
a direct flight from Minneapolis to San Antonio, Texas.
• Based on an open-source internet search, the individual was identified as
A white female approximately forth-five (45) to fifty (50) years of age who identified herself as
I presented for approximately 20 minutes. The speaker told the audience that she
and most of the organization's members have full time jobs and participate in 50501 on a volunteer basis. 50501 Minnesota was described as a 501(c) (4) organization. The speaker informed the audience that volunteers have participated in medical support, organizing a bridge protest, and other non-violent protests.
A female named |
spoke and described the organization as "non-violent but not peaceful".
reiterated the fact that there have been several people that have recently wanted to
volunteer to help the organization.
During the meeting, operation security was discussed and it was emphasized that ICE Agents may try and infiltrate the organization. A lawyer stood up and encouraged attendees not to put anything in writing that they wouldn't want to be seen in court. The lawyer made a comment about
"we may be thinking we want all ICE Agents to die, but don't put those statements in writing." A heavy-set female approximately twenty-five (25) years old spoke about operational security. The female warned attendees not to say anything in the meeting that you would not say to an ICE Agent. The same female stated she had recently started a "Coffee Club" where people can get to know each other on a more personal level. The female stated she was going to be hosting a meeting at a Zion Church soon.
Interview concluded on February 2, 2026, at approximately 7:45 p.m.
The investigation continues.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 12/08/2026

… and hey, if wasn’t all disappointing news tonight - congrats to Peggy Flanagan!

Peggy Flanagan and some oaf in front of Minnesota’s Capitol

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 08/08/2026

The number of people being flown out has subsided a little bit from the crescendo we saw three weeks ago, which was the busiest since February. ICE is still hassling our community, and our volunteers are still watching. Stats: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-msp/data Support: mn50501.org/donate

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 08/08/2026

24 detainees were loaded onto today's ICE Air flight in Minneapolis. Six seconds in, the staff on the left are unfolding a WRAP full-body restraint; on the right, the shackles are untangled. If you may have had a loved one on this flight, the full loading can be viewed here: youtu.be/st3guNEQm2M

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 06/08/2026

A fine thread below, along with a few photos from my portfolio including said bridges. One of my favorite places in Minnesota.

A train passes over Robert Street Lift Bridge at night

A train passes over the Robert Street Lift Bridge, with nice reflections

The headlights of a train project shadows onto the Robert Street bridge

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 06/08/2026

A small breather from advocacy/campaigning yesterday evening to catch a pair of aircraft from Equatorial New Guinea, which dropped in at MSP. Appears their president is visiting Mayo; he swapped aircraft here at MSP - apparently RST's airport has construction that prevents the 777 from visiting.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 01/08/2026

It's been a busy month for ICE; in July, 307 people were flown out of Minnesota on ICE Air - the largest number we've seen since February. Stats: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-msp/data

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 01/08/2026

28 people flown to indefinite detention on ICE Air today from Minneapolis. In rain that got heavier as the loading process went on, MN50501 volunteers observed construction workers, elderly, and women. If you may have loved ones on the flight, full footage be seen here: youtu.be/gJr9Q79MQxc 🧵👇

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 29/07/2026

Signature Aviation, MSP's private jet terminal, was busy yesterday, with aircraft from the Pohlads, Cargill, Target, Marvin Windows, Sanford Health, and ICE. The ICE Air flight was loaded with 29 shackled detainees, who were flown away from Minnesota to Alexandria, LA and El Paso, TX.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 24/07/2026

33 people were loaded onto today's ICE Air flight at MSP. Minnesota friends: please join me, along with faith, labor, and community leaders, to mourn those who have been killed by ICE, and demand accountability from Delta Air Lines, tomorrow at noon, at the airport: bit.ly/july25mn

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 22/07/2026

31 ICE detainees were sent away from their homes in Minnesota today. Please join us on Saturday at MSP's Terminal 1, to remember those who've been murdered by ICE, and demand accountability from Delta Air Lines, who flew Minnesota kids to ICE camps during Metro Surge: bit.ly/july25mn

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 18/07/2026

A combined total of 92 detainees on this week's two flights at MSP, the largest group Minnesota 50501 volunteers have observed being sent out of Minneapolis since the end of Metro Surge. Stats: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-msp/data

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 18/07/2026

47 on today's ICE Air flight, the largest on a single flight we've seen here in Minnesota since early February. The national ICE surge other flight trackers are noticing is happening here at MSP as well. Elderly women and construction workers chasing the American dream, sent away in chains. 🧵👇

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 14/07/2026

45 detainees loaded onto today's ICE Air flight in Minneapolis, the highest single day total since February 4. Stats: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-msp/data Minnesota 50501 volunteers continue to monitor, report, advocate & demand accountability; please help support our work: mn50501.org/donate

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 10/07/2026

Minnesota 50501 volunteers are still here observing flights, educating the public, advocating for change, and demanding accountability. Please help support our work: mn50501.org/donate Fuck ICE.

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 10/07/2026

30 shackled ICE detainees were flown out of MSP today, including a gentleman in a jersey for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Eastern Air Express, the charter airline operating this flight, is based in Kansas City. Stats: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-...

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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 08/07/2026

ICE hasn't stopped in Minnesota - in fact the number of detainees they're flying out has been creeping up - last week there were 70 people on ICE Air, the highest we've seen since the end of Metro Surge. Stats: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-msp/data

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