TL;DR
A federal contract justification published in the Federal Register states that 31 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area lack required emergency lights and sirens. The notice says those vehicles are not compliant with law enforcement equipment requirements.
What happened
A procurement justification posted to the Federal Register on Tuesday says 31 ICE vehicles operating in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area do not have the emergency lights and sirens required for compliance with law enforcement equipment standards. The notice describes the shortfall in equipment and frames it as a compliance issue; it appears in the administrative record supporting a contracting decision. The disclosure follows broader reporting about ICE operations in Minnesota, but the Federal Register entry itself focuses on vehicle equipment. The document does not, in the text summarized by WIRED, lay out a timeline for fixing the deficiency or provide details on operational impacts, incidents, or planned purchases beyond the justification’s purpose of supporting a contracting or procurement action.
Why it matters
- Emergency lighting and audible warning devices are standard equipment for law enforcement vehicles and affect how those vehicles operate during enforcement actions.
- A federal acknowledgment that agency vehicles are not compliant raises questions about procurement, maintenance, and oversight of operational equipment.
- Noncompliance could have legal or procedural implications for agency operations in the jurisdiction where the vehicles are deployed.
- The disclosure adds to public scrutiny of ICE activities in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area documented in recent coverage and legal developments.
Key facts
- The information appears in a contract justification published in the Federal Register.
- The notice says 31 ICE vehicles in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis–St. Paul) lack necessary emergency lights and sirens.
- WIRED reported the contract justification on January 13, 2026.
- The vehicles were described as not compliant with law enforcement equipment requirements in the procurement notice.
- The Federal Register posting served as the administrative basis for a contracting decision; the notice’s primary focus is the equipment shortfall.
- The report does not include a detailed corrective plan or timeline within the summarized text.
- The disclosure coincides with broader reporting and legal attention on ICE activity in Minnesota.
What to watch next
- Whether ICE or the Department of Homeland Security publishes a follow-up notice or procurement award to address the equipment shortfall (not confirmed in the source).
- Any statements or corrective actions from ICE about retrofitting or replacing vehicles to meet equipment standards (not confirmed in the source).
- Potential oversight or legal response from Minnesota authorities or courts related to agency operations in the Twin Cities (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- ICE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and certain customs-related functions.
- Federal Register: The official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, used to announce administrative actions and procurements.
- Contract justification: An administrative document explaining why a particular procurement method or purchase is necessary, often published when standard procedures are waived or when sole-source actions are used.
- Emergency lights and sirens: Visual and audible warning systems installed on law enforcement vehicles to signal priority movement and alert other road users during responses.
Reader FAQ
How many ICE vehicles lack required lights and sirens?
The contract justification states 31 vehicles in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area.
Where does this information come from?
A procurement justification published in the Federal Register and reported by WIRED on January 13, 2026.
Has ICE said how it will fix the issue?
Not confirmed in the source.
Were any incidents linked to the equipment shortfall reported?
Not confirmed in the source.
CAROLINE HASKINS SECURITY JAN 13, 2026 11:45 AM Dozens of ICE Vehicles in Minnesota Lack ‘Necessary’ Lights and Sirens A contract justification published in a federal register on Tuesday says…
Sources
- Dozens of ICE Vehicles in Minnesota Lack ‘Necessary’ Lights and Sirens
- ICE are now ramming civilian cars, forcing them through …
- Minnesota sues to block ICE operation, citing unlawful …
- Minnesota, Twin Cities Sue Federal Government Over ICE …
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