BREAKING NEWS: Tensions are at a boiling point in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a motorist by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the actions of federal agents, stating that they are “sowing chaos” in the city, rejecting claims of self-defense from ICE.
During a news conference on July 26, 2023, Frey expressed his outrage over the incident, which unfolded in a residential neighborhood. He declared, “What they are doing is causing chaos and distrust,” criticizing the federal crackdown on immigration enforcement that has left the Twin Cities on edge.
The deceased motorist, whose identity has not yet been released, was shot by an ICE officer after allegedly attempting to run over law enforcement during an immigration operation. According to Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this shooting represents a disturbing escalation in federal enforcement actions, marking at least the fifth death tied to such operations since 2024.
Protests erupted almost immediately after the shooting, with demonstrators chanting “Shame! Shame! Shame!” and “ICE out of Minnesota!” as they confronted local and federal officers, including senior U.S. Customs and Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino. The scene mirrored previous immigration crackdowns in major cities, further igniting community anger.
Frey reiterated calls for ICE to withdraw from the city, stating, “We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.” Residents in the area, which is just a mile from the site of George Floyd‘s death, expressed their fear and anxiety over recent federal operations.
The latest crackdown involves over 2,000 officers deployed to the Twin Cities, as confirmed by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who announced that “hundreds and hundreds” of arrests have already been made. Community activists have been preparing for this surge, setting up networks to keep residents informed and organized.
Reverend Hierald Osorto, a local pastor, highlighted the human impact of these operations, stating, “We’ve been trying to live life as fully as possible in light of the fear and anxiety that we feel.”
Activists are mobilizing rapidly, with groups like the Immigration Defense Network offering training sessions to teach residents how to monitor federal activity. Mary Moran, a participant, expressed her determination, saying, “I feel like I’m an ordinary person, and I have the ability to do something so I need to do it.”
The situation remains fluid as developments unfold. Authorities are expected to face increasing pressure from community leaders and activists demanding accountability and a cessation of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to develop.
