MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tensions mounted in Minneapolis as immigration officers arrested several activists on Tuesday, drawing guns as they ordered activists out of their vehicles. This escalation follows the recent departure of a high-profile commander from the local immigration enforcement agency.
Witnesses reported that at least one activist, wearing anti-ICE apparel, was handcuffed while face-down on the ground. Eyewitness accounts highlight the increasingly aggressive tactics employed by immigration authorities, raising alarms within activist communities.
Federal agents have recently transitioned to more targeted immigration arrests, often in neighborhoods rather than parking lots, complicating the activists' efforts to monitor their activities. Activist group communications have shifted from alert updates on detentions to more general sightings of immigration officers.
In the lead-up to the arrests, several cars followed immigration officers through south Minneapolis after reports of agents approaching homes. When officers halted their vehicles, they threatened activists with pepper spray and ordered them to exit at gunpoint.
This aggressive stance marks a significant shift, especially after a federal judge recently ruled that following agents should not automatically warrant a stop. However, an appeals court has since overruled this order, leaving room for greater enforcement discretion by immigration officers.
As activism continues against aggressive immigration enforcement, the community remains on high alert, particularly in light of recent fatal incidents involving federal officers in the area.
Meanwhile, an activist charged with assaulting Rep. Ilhan Omar with apple cider vinegar remains in custody, illustrating the broader climate of dissent and the response from law enforcement.
