Foreign Funds Linked to Anti-ICE Minneapolis Group, New Report Reveals
Recent findings indicate that foreign money may be funding an activist group opposed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis. An investigation by DataRepublican, shared by journalist Cam Higby, highlights encrypted communications from the “SignalGate Minneapolis” network. These communications suggest involvement from international financial sources in organizing protests. This revelation has prompted calls for urgent criminal investigations into potential foreign influence on U.S. law enforcement operations.
The SignalGate network has been previously identified for its role in real-time alerts related to ICE raids. It became a key player during anti-ICE protests that escalated into violence on January 24, 2026, resulting in one man’s death, multiple injuries among law enforcement, and a city lockdown by the National Guard.
Higby emphasized the depth of the investigation with a tweet stating, “This runs freaking deep. We need a massive criminal investigation and to bust the entire network.” DataRepublican asserts that it has traced financial routing and cryptocurrency transactions linked to overseas donors, though specifics about these donors remain undisclosed for ongoing analysis.
This situation raises significant alarms for federal intelligence and homeland security agencies that are already facing challenges with domestic unrest and potential foreign manipulation. High-profile political figures, including former President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, have made statements reflecting the severity of the situation in Minneapolis.
On the day of the ICE operation, federal agents encountered resistance while attempting to arrest a suspect, culminating in a deadly confrontation. The suspect, armed and without identification, resisted arrest and was killed in the process. Following this incident, protests erupted, with crowds reportedly blockading law enforcement and leading to violent clashes, including one where a protester seriously injured a Homeland Security officer.
Shortly after the riots began, protests spread to various neighborhoods in Minneapolis. Analysts suggest that communications from SignalGate enabled activists to share information about ICE operations and coordinate responses. Surveillance footage documented protesters building barricades and attacking law enforcement officers amid rising tensions.
The concern now lies in uncovering the origin and funding of this coordination. DataRepublican’s analysis points to patterns resembling those seen in foreign-influenced activist networks operating in Europe and Latin America. A digital forensics expert cited in the report noted that one cryptocurrency wallet linked to SignalGate had received funds associated with financing protests in Hong Kong and leftist movements in South America.
“There are transactions that make no domestic sense,” the analyst remarked, adding that timestamps suggest external coordination and that certain currencies move through mixers that obscure their origins.
The implication of foreign support for a group that targets federal agents raises serious questions about national security. Experts have warned that encrypted messaging platforms like Signal and Telegram could serve as tools for hybrid warfare, enabling foreign entities to embed themselves in domestic movements.
Trump responded decisively through Truth Social, asserting, “Democrat-run cities have become nests of crime and rebellion. Minneapolis leaders are not just weak—they are coordinating with enemies of America. This must be prosecuted as what it is: insurrection aided by foreign powers.”
Critics accuse Minnesota’s officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jason Frey, of failing to address the radicalization of activists opposing federal authority. Noem has voiced concerns on FOX News, stating, “We are seeing exactly what happens when Democrat politicians embolden resistance. ICE and Border Patrol are being actively targeted by violent criminals. Now, with evidence of foreign money involved, this becomes a breach of sovereignty.”
The local government maintains that transparency is a priority. Mayor Frey stated, “We have called for a full federal inquiry and will cooperate with any legitimate investigation into funding sources, actions by protesters, and law enforcement conduct.” However, he did not address inquiries about SignalGate or the infiltration of encrypted networks.
This situation is not the first instance where anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis have been linked to broader radical movements. Federal sources indicate that similar actions during past ICE raids were associated with transnational anarchist and anti-border groups. These groups often operate through decentralized networks, sharing strategies and funding through encrypted platforms and cryptocurrency wallets.
Higby has remarked on the apparent synchronization of activist documentation with frameworks seen in movements from Germany, Chile, and Portland. “This isn’t just about protesting a policy,” he noted. “This is coordinated. This is intelligent. And it is foreign-backed.”
If confirmed, the involvement of significant foreign funding in domestic protests would lead to substantial legal and national security repercussions. The Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 requires individuals and entities acting on behalf of foreign interests in the U.S. to register with the Department of Justice. Noncompliance carries potential criminal penalties. Actions that disrupt federal law enforcement, especially those involving firearms, might also violate anti-terrorism laws.
Several lawmakers from the House Homeland Security Committee have requested classified briefings to explore the range of foreign involvement in the protests. Meanwhile, ICE has bolstered security measures in Minneapolis, while the DHS has allocated additional cyberintelligence to monitor “hot nodes” suspected of targeting encrypted activist networks.
The developments have reignited discussions in conservative media about regulating technology, particularly encrypted messaging apps. Critics claim that platforms like Signal enable extremist activities and may facilitate foreign-funded paramilitary operations without accountability. A growing coalition in Congress is reportedly developing legislation to impose registration and disclosure obligations on closed-network messaging services engaged in “security-relevant coordination.”
As investigations continue, the situation remains evolving. A thorough analysis is currently underway on hundreds of emails and cryptocurrency records associated with SignalGate. The findings from Higby and DataRepublican will likely play a significant role in future Congressional hearings.
Amidst this turmoil, ICE operations persist in Minneapolis, with agents working under enhanced protective measures. The DHS has alerted local law enforcement in various U.S. cities to remain vigilant against similar mobilizations. Residents in downtown Minneapolis are now grappling not only with the consequences of recent riots but also with the troubling reality that their city may be at the center of a broader, foreign-influenced upheaval against vital national institutions.
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