An incident in St. Paul, Minnesota, escalated when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fired shots at a Cuban man believed to be in the United States illegally. The confrontation began when the suspect, identified as Juan Carlos Romero, allegedly hit two ICE agents with his SUV while attempting to evade arrest.
According to ICE, the initial confrontation occurred when agents approached Romero as he entered his vehicle. He was identified as a subject of an ongoing investigation under the agency’s “Operation Metro Surge,” which commenced on December 1, 2023. When agents asked him to roll down his window, he refused, prompting them to threaten to break it if he did not comply. Instead of cooperating, Romero drove away, striking one agent in the process.
The situation took a dangerous turn as Romero drove into a parking lot at his apartment complex. There, he allegedly rammed his SUV into an ICE vehicle, hitting a second agent. This prompted the agent to fire shots, although none struck Romero. Following this, he exited the vehicle and attempted to flee into his apartment but was quickly subdued by agents.
The Saint Paul Police Department received reports of gunfire and arrived to find that an ICE agent had discharged their weapon. Fortunately, the first agent struck by the SUV sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while Romero was taken into custody without injury. Reports indicate that he also bit an ICE agent during the altercation.
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin provided details about the incident, emphasizing the escalating threats faced by ICE agents. In a statement, she noted that attacks on ICE have surged by 1,150%, with death threats rising by 8,000% in recent times. She condemned the political climate that has fueled such violence, particularly referencing the actions of local politicians.
McLaughlin stated, “This dangerous attempt to evade arrest comes after sanctuary politicians, like Governor Walz and other radical leftists, demeaned ICE and held events to help illegal aliens evade arrest.” She called for bipartisan condemnation of violence against law enforcement officials.
The incident occurred amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions regarding immigration enforcement in the region. Over the weekend, thousands participated in a significant anti-immigration enforcement protest in Minneapolis, marching along Lake Street in freezing weather.
This event underscores the complex and often contentious nature of immigration policy in the United States, particularly in areas actively engaged in enforcement operations. As federal authorities continue to navigate these challenges, the safety of law enforcement personnel remains a critical concern.
