UPDATE: Tensions escalate in Minneapolis as off-duty police officers report alarming encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, including one incident where agents drew their guns. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley revealed this shocking information during a news conference on January 21, 2023, calling for immediate oversight of ICE operations in Minnesota.
Bruley stated that his department has received a flood of complaints from U.S. citizens, particularly off-duty officers, who allege they were stopped by ICE agents “with no cause” and demanded proof of citizenship. These encounters have raised serious concerns about racial profiling, prompting calls for accountability.
During the conference, Bruley detailed a specific incident involving a female off-duty officer who found herself “boxed in” by ICE agents while driving. When she attempted to record the confrontation, agents allegedly knocked her phone from her hand while demanding identification. “They had their guns drawn,” Bruley said. “When she identified herself as a law enforcement officer, they immediately left.”
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry, who has confirmed similar complaints from city employees, described these traffic stops as “clearly outside the bounds of what federal agents are allowed to do.” He emphasized the fear gripping the community, stating, “They are getting stopped by the way that they look, and they don’t want to take that risk.”
“If it is happening to our officers, it pains me to think of how many of our community members are falling victim to this every day. It has to stop,”
Bruley added, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Bruley clarified that he is not against immigration enforcement but is critical of the actions of a “small group” of agents. “The truth is, immigration enforcement is necessary for national security and local security, but how it’s done is extremely important.”
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt echoed these sentiments, reporting that individuals have been “questioned and harassed solely because of the color of their skin.” She warned that these interactions are damaging public trust in law enforcement and stressed the need for lawful policing that respects human dignity.
In response to these allegations, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement to USA Today, claiming they could not verify the incidents without specific information. “Without a name, we cannot verify these claims. We will continue to look into these claims,” officials stated.
The controversy stems from the deployment of thousands of federal immigration agents to the Minneapolis area as part of Operation Metro Surge. This operation has sparked widespread demonstrations, including a protest on January 7, where activists confronted federal vehicles. Tensions flared tragically when an anti-ICE activist was shot and killed by an ICE agent during an incident that witnesses described differently.
Moreover, another incident involving ICE resulted in an undocumented Venezuelan man being injured after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop and assaulting an officer.
In the wake of these events, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mobilized the state’s National Guard on January 21 to restore peace, though their deployment has not yet been executed. The state, alongside Illinois, has also filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding its aggressive immigration policies targeting Democratic-led states.
This situation is developing rapidly, and community leaders are calling for immediate action to prevent further instances of racial profiling and to restore public trust in law enforcement. As protests continue, the public awaits further developments and responses from federal officials.
