UPDATE: In a shocking revelation, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley has reported a disturbing encounter involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents drawing their guns on off-duty police officers in the Minneapolis area. This urgent update came during a news conference on January 21, 2023, where Bruley demanded accountability and oversight as ICE agents flood Minnesota to enhance immigration enforcement.
Bruley revealed that his department has received an overwhelming number of complaints from U.S. citizens, including off-duty officers and city employees, who alleged that ICE agents stopped them without cause and demanded proof of citizenship. The police chief’s alarming statements reflect a growing sentiment of fear among community members, who feel targeted based on their race.
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry echoed these concerns, stating that city employees have also faced similar harassment. “These stops are clearly outside the bounds of what federal agents are allowed to do,” he emphasized, describing the anxiety experienced by residents who feel threatened by unjust stops, not due to their immigration status, but because of their appearance.
One particularly harrowing account involved an off-duty officer who found herself “boxed in” by ICE agents while in her vehicle. When she attempted to record the encounter on her phone, the agents allegedly knocked the device from her hand and demanded her paperwork. Bruley asserted that the agents had their weapons drawn during this alarming interaction. Upon identifying herself as a law enforcement officer, the agents reportedly fled the scene.
“I wish I could tell you this was an isolated incident,” Bruley lamented. “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.” He clarified that while he supports legitimate immigration enforcement, the actions of a “small group” of agents are concerning.
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt added her voice to the outcry, stating she has witnessed individuals being questioned solely based on their skin color. “We demand lawful policing that respects human dignity,” Witt declared, emphasizing the damage these actions cause to public trust in law enforcement.
In a response to these allegations, the Department of Homeland Security stated they had not found records of ICE agents engaging with a police officer. “Without a name, we cannot verify these claims. We will continue to look into these claims,” the agency said in a statement.
The situation escalated earlier this month when the Trump administration sent thousands of federal immigration agents to the Minneapolis region as part of Operation Metro Surge. This deployment has sparked widespread protests, including a demonstration on January 7, where local residents confronted a convoy of federal vehicles. Tragically, during this protest, anti-ICE activist Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent under contentious circumstances that are still being investigated.
Another incident involving ICE agents resulted in the injury of an undocumented Venezuelan man during a traffic stop, raising further concerns about the methods employed by federal agents in the area.
In response to the unrest, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mobilized the state’s National Guard on January 21, although they have not yet been deployed. Their presence is expected to assist local law enforcement in maintaining peace amidst rising tensions.
As the situation unfolds, officials and community leaders continue to call for accountability and transparency in the operations of ICE agents. The implications of these actions resonate deeply, affecting not only law enforcement personnel but also the broader community, which is now grappling with heightened fears and mistrust.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story progresses. The call for justice and the demand for respect and dignity in law enforcement remain paramount in Minnesota’s ongoing struggle with immigration enforcement.
