The Department of Homeland Security has issued a formal complaint stating that its immigration agents are facing persistent harassment from protesters in Minnesota, with incidents occurring even during routine bathroom breaks. This development comes as part of the ongoing "Operation Metro Surge," which has deployed approximately 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents to the state, sparking significant unrest in Minneapolis.
Escalating Tensions in Minneapolis
The situation has intensified following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, on a residential street on January 7. In response, the DHS took to social media platform X to detail the alleged harassment faced by agents. According to their statement, Border Patrol agents involved in targeted enforcement operations were repeatedly blocked and harassed by hostile crowds while simply trying to take bathroom breaks at local gas stations.
Allegations of Harassment and Violence
The DHS claims that at each gas station stop, groups of agitators appeared, yelling at agents, stalking them, and attempting to prevent law enforcement vehicles from leaving, thereby creating unsafe conditions. The statement further alleged that individuals in the crowd threw food at agents, and at one location, someone spat on an agent. When the agent moved to detain the individual responsible, the crowd reportedly tackled and attacked the agents, surrounding them. To safely disperse the hostile crowd, agents had to employ crowd control measures.
Political Reactions and Defense of Agents
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been vocal in defending the actions of ICE officials. She accused Renee Good of "stalking" ICE agents in her Honda SUV and claimed she intended to use her vehicle to commit "an act of domestic terrorism" at the time of her shooting. Noem also defended ICE agent Jonathan Ross, stating he feared for his life and sustained injuries during the confrontation. Her stance has been echoed by former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, with Vance particularly criticizing media coverage of the incident.
Vice President's Planned Visit and Local Policies
Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Minneapolis, where he will reportedly meet with ICE personnel and deliver a speech praising their efforts. He is expected to condemn the city's "sanctuary" policies, which he argues restrict cooperation between state and federal authorities. Meanwhile, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has demanded that federal forces leave the city, while Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to restore order. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has placed the National Guard on standby in response to the escalating situation.
Legal Investigations and Further Incidents
In a related development, Mayor Frey, Governor Walz, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison have been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice as part of an investigation into allegations that local law enforcement has conspired to impede federal operations. Since Good's death, ICE has provoked further animosity by shooting another individual in the leg and detaining a five-year-old boy. Additionally, protesters caused uproar among conservatives by demonstrating inside a St. Paul church on Sunday, disrupting prayer services. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of two individuals, Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, in connection with that incident.
The ongoing conflict highlights deep divisions over immigration enforcement and federal authority in Minneapolis, with both sides presenting starkly different narratives of the events unfolding on the ground.
