In a concerning incident in Minnesota, off-duty police officers have reported being targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, raising alarm over racial profiling. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley revealed that one officer was threatened at gunpoint during a traffic stop. This revelation was made during a news conference on January 21, 2023, where Bruley called for increased accountability and oversight regarding ICE’s activities in the region.
Bruley reported that complaints have flooded his department from U.S. citizens, including off-duty officers and municipal employees, who claim they were stopped without justification and asked to provide proof of citizenship. St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry echoed these concerns, stating that city employees have also been subjected to these unwarranted stops, which he described as “clearly outside the bounds of what federal agents are allowed to do.”
Fear and Distrust Among Communities
Henry emphasized the impact of these encounters, noting that many individuals now live in fear of being stopped based solely on their appearance. “We watch the news and we see very, very angry groups of people out protesting, but the people that we’re dealing with as police chiefs are the people that are scared to death,” he remarked. He clarified that the fear stems not from their immigration status, but from the anxiety of being targeted due to their race.
In one alarming case, an off-duty officer reported being “boxed in” by ICE agents while in her vehicle. When she attempted to record the incident on her phone, the agents allegedly knocked the device from her hand, demanding documentation that she, as a U.S. citizen, was not required to produce. The situation escalated to the point where the agents had their weapons drawn. Upon identifying herself as a law enforcement officer, the agents reportedly left the scene.
Bruley expressed his concern over the pattern of behavior demonstrated by ICE agents, stating, “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.” While he affirmed the need for immigration enforcement, he criticized the actions of a “small group” of agents for undermining public trust.
Response from Authorities and Community Outcry
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt supported Bruley’s statements, noting that there is substantial evidence of racial profiling in these interactions, which is damaging community trust in law enforcement. “We demand lawful policing that respects human dignity,” Witt stated, highlighting the importance of maintaining public confidence in police.
The Department of Homeland Security responded to the allegations, stating that they could not verify the claims without specific names or details. “We will continue to look into these claims,” a spokesperson mentioned.
This series of incidents occurs against the backdrop of Operation Metro Surge, a campaign initiated by the Trump administration that deployed thousands of federal immigration agents to the Minneapolis area in January 2023. Public backlash has been significant, with numerous protests against ICE’s presence, including a notable demonstration on January 7, where activists protested a convoy of federal vehicles.
The situation escalated tragically when anti-ICE activist Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent during a confrontation where she attempted to block their vehicles. The federal authorities reported that Good had tried to run over an agent, while witnesses argued she was attempting to flee. Another incident involved an undocumented man from Venezuela who was injured during a traffic stop involving ICE.
In light of the growing unrest, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mobilized the state’s National Guard to support local law enforcement, although they have not yet been deployed. Minnesota, alongside Illinois, is also pursuing legal action against the Trump administration regarding its immigration policies.
As these events unfold, the Minnesota law enforcement community continues to seek solutions to restore trust and ensure that all residents are treated with dignity and respect.