MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal immigration officers with guns drawn detained activists following their vehicles in Minneapolis on Tuesday, signaling that tensions have heightened following protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Witnesses reported seeing activists with messages opposing ICE being handcuffed while lying face down on the ground. Reports came from an Associated Press photographer present during the arrests.
Federal agents have been ramping up immigration enforcement in the city, moving away from public parking lot operations to more targeted home and neighborhood arrests, making it harder for activists to track their movements.
Local activism has been on the rise as communities express their concerns over ICE operations. Activists reported following agent convoys to ensure the safety of those targeted for deportation. In response, federal officers have posed threats to include pepper spray to deter onlookers.
Concerns have been amplified by recent incidents where federal agents have resorted to excessive enforcement tactics, leading to community outcry and demands for accountability.
This incident coincides with a recent federal ruling which attempted to set boundaries around how immigration officers treat individuals merely observing their operations. However, appeals led to a suspension of these limitations, thereby complicating the enforcement landscape further.
The ongoing confrontational environment has led to increased discussions on immigration policy and community safety, with activists vowing to continue monitoring ICE activities and advocating for vulnerable populations.
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Contributors include AP reporter Ed White from Detroit.
