Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the actions of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer following the fatal shooting of a motorist during an immigration enforcement operation. The incident, which occurred on March 27, 2024, has heightened tensions in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as the mayor criticized federal officials for exacerbating chaos in the community.
During a news conference, Frey characterized the officer’s actions as reckless, disputing claims from federal authorities that the officer acted in self-defense. He stated, “They are not here to cause safety in this city… What they are doing is causing chaos and distrust.” Frey expressed particular outrage over the impact of federal immigration policies, asserting, “They’re ripping families apart. They’re sowing chaos on our streets and in this case quite literally killing people.”
The shooting occurred when the unidentified woman allegedly attempted to drive her vehicle towards law enforcement officers. According to Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the incident marked a significant escalation in ongoing immigration enforcement activities across the nation, particularly under the Trump administration.
Protests erupted shortly after the incident, with a large crowd gathering to voice their anger at law enforcement. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Shame! Shame! Shame!” and “ICE out of Minnesota!” directed at officials, including Gregory Bovino, a senior U.S. Customs and Border Patrol official known for his involvement in immigration crackdowns in various cities.
Frey reiterated his call for ICE to cease operations in the area, stating on social media, “We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.” The shooting took place in a residential neighborhood just south of downtown Minneapolis, close to historic immigrant markets and not far from the site of George Floyd’s death in 2020, which has left a lasting impact on the community.
The pastor of St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church, Rev. Hierald Osorto, highlighted the community’s ongoing fear and anxiety in response to the federal operations. He stated, “We’ve been trying to live life as fully as possible in light of the fear and anxiety that we feel.”
In a related announcement, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that more than 2,000 officers have been deployed to the Twin Cities, resulting in “hundreds and hundreds” of arrests. This operation is linked to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents, which has fueled community concerns and protests.
For nearly a year, activists and migrant rights advocates in the Twin Cities have prepared for potential immigration enforcement surges. They have established extensive networks to monitor federal activity, including training sessions for community members on how to respond to enforcement actions.
Mary Moran, a participant in a recent training session, expressed her commitment to advocacy, saying, “I feel like I’m an ordinary person, and I have the ability to do something so I need to do it.”
As the situation continues to unfold, the community remains vigilant and divided over the implications of federal immigration policies and the actions of enforcement agencies in their neighborhoods.
