Oscar-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras returns with a devastating short film. 'They’re Here' reveals the grim details of 'Operation Metro Surge,' a mass deportation campaign in Minnesota that reportedly turned the streets of Minneapolis into a federal war zone, shedding light on the fragile reality of undocumented immigrants.

A Visceral Glimpse into State Power and Human Vulnerability

Cinema once again becomes a powerful tool for denunciation. Laura Poitras, the acclaimed US filmmaker, alongside journalist Rachel Lauren Mueller, have presented "They’re Here", a 24-minute piece that serves as a visceral exposé on border operations within the United States.

The Core of the Conflict: Operation Metro Surge

The film documents "Operation Metro Surge," a strategy implemented by the Department of Homeland Security during Donald Trump's administration. The primary goal was reportedly the removal of the Somali immigrant population from the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

For those unfamiliar with the terminology, the operations involved ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection), the two primary federal agencies responsible for enforcing immigration laws in the US.

Impactful Imagery

Using a frenetic editing style that incorporates dashboard cameras, social media footage, and counter-surveillance material, the work exposes the brutality of federal agents. The documentary reportedly shows:

  • 💥 Tear gas and smoke bombs deployed in residential streets.
  • ⛓️ Detainees transported in non-commercial aircraft, chained and wearing prison jumpsuits.
  • 🛡️ Intense clashes between federal forces and local residents.

Human Stories of Resistance

The documentary focuses on specific, tragic cases that humanize the statistics:

  • ❌ The death of Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents.
  • 👤 The identification of federal officer Greg Bovino charging against protesters.
  • 🚗 Edén Villa, a Latin American immigrant who reportedly had to travel in the trunk of a car to reach work without being captured.
  • 🔍 The clandestine monitoring of patrols by locals like "Liz Lemon."

The Social Context

The work is deeply connected to the social fabric of Minnesota. It links current citizen resistance with the legacy of the massive protests that followed the deaths of Philando Castile and George Floyd, highlighting a systemic pattern of violence and struggle for justice in the region.

Project Detail Information
Title They’re Here
Directors Laura Poitras and Rachel Lauren Mueller
Runtime 24 minutes
Premiere New York Film Festival (2026)
Upcoming Screenings United Kingdom and Australia

Source: IMAGO