The FBI is requesting agents from across the United States to volunteer for temporary duty in Minneapolis, according to sources familiar with the situation. In recent days, the bureau disseminated messages nationwide seeking volunteers for temporary transfer to the city, these sources indicated.

The messages did not explicitly mention the escalating anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in Minneapolis, nor did they detail the specific nature of the assignment, the sources said. The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have already been increasing their presence in the city. Minneapolis has become a focal point for anti-ICE protests following the January 7 shooting death of Renee Good by an officer while she was in her car.

It remains unclear what tasks the FBI would assign to the volunteer agents. Traditionally, FBI agents focus on national security matters such as counter-terrorism, organized crime, and high-profile violent crimes.

FBI Director Kash Patel and US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche visited Minneapolis on Friday, according to a post shared on Patel's X account. In the post, Patel stated that the FBI was cracking down on violent crime.

The increased federal presence in Minneapolis reflects a broader trend of utilizing law enforcement resources to address protests and civil unrest. This raises questions about the appropriate role of federal agencies in local law enforcement matters and the potential impact on civil liberties. The situation also highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement policies and the public's response to them.