Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was honored Tuesday night with the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award from Refugees International for the city’s response to Operation Metro Surge earlier this year. The annual Advocacy Awards in Washington D.C. celebrate people and organizations that make a more welcoming world for and enforce the rights of all refugees around the country.
Mayor Frey received the award for his leadership and “significant contributions” during Operation Metro Surge, when the federal government sent swarms of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Minneapolis earlier this year. Refugees International says recipients of this award help “advance the rights and safety of displaced people” and make a difference in the world.
“This recognition belongs to the people of Minneapolis who stood up for the rights, dignity and safety of our neighbors,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “In moments when it would have been easier to stay silent, our community chose to speak out, act and protect one another. This honor is a reflection of their bravery, and I am proud to be part of this community.”
Resiliency In Progress
The City prides itself on being a Welcoming City, where all neighbors have the right to feel safe and accepted in Minneapolis.
Still, estimates show that approximately 76,000 people – mostly immigrants, refugees, American Indian/Native American and Black/African American and People of Color – need urgent assistance. Since the Surge ended, the City of Minneapolis has begun working on resiliency efforts:
- The Small Business Resiliency Fund is $7 million in aid for small businesses across the City that were affected by the Surge.
- The Mayor and City Council worked together to provide $3.8 million in rent relief, including a $3 million match from the Wilson Foundation.
- The Virtual Resource Center offers resources for shelter, legal help and more.
The humanitarian award is named after David and Penny McCall and Yvette Pierpaoli – three humanitarians who died during a trip to Albania in 1999. Past honorees include Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chef Jose Andres and Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya. This award comes one week after Mayor Frey was also named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2026.
Mayor Frey and the City of Minneapolis recognize there is still more work to be done, and they will continue working with neighbors and businesses who have been impacted by Operation Metro Surge.