Thursday, January 22, 2026-Tensions in Minneapolis–St. Paul have escalated after local police leaders said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents mistakenly targeted off-duty police officers during recent enforcement operations.
According to officials, multiple off-duty officers, all people of color and U.S. citizens were stopped, surrounded by unmarked vehicles, and questioned by armed federal agents. In at least one incident, an officer attempting to record the encounter reported that her phone was knocked from her hand before agents disengaged after seeing her police identification.
Local law enforcement leaders have strongly condemned the encounters, warning that such actions undermine trust and raise serious concerns about racial profiling.
Police chiefs and sheriffs across the Twin Cities say these incidents damage relationships between officers and the communities they serve, especially as residents already express fear and uncertainty around immigration enforcement. Federal officials have disputed parts of the claims, but the accounts from local departments have intensified public scrutiny and calls for transparency.
The controversy comes amid an aggressive federal immigration push in Minnesota that has already sparked protests, legal challenges, and heightened community tension.
As city and county leaders demand clearer limits on federal operations, the situation highlights growing friction between local law enforcement and immigration authorities. Without swift accountability and policy clarity, officials warn the fallout could further erode public confidence and deepen an already volatile climate.
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