Shooting Involved Federal Agents Amid Immigration Crackdown in Minneapolis

Fri Jan 09 2026 02:09:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A significant law enforcement presence marks the scene of a shooting in Minneapolis, tied to a major immigration enforcement operation. Mayor Jacob Frey demands ICE withdrawal as tensions rise in the immigrant community.

Minneapolis witnessed a shooting involving federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation that has stirred up local tensions. Witnesses expressed their anger at federal agents, prompting Mayor Jacob Frey's demand for ICE's immediate withdrawal from the city and state. This incident is part of a larger crackdown that has raised community concerns, especially regarding allegations of fraud among Somali residents.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A shooting involving federal agents occurred in Minneapolis on Wednesday amidst a significant crackdown on immigration enforcement. Authorities reported a large presence of both federal and local law enforcement, cordoning off the area with police tape as bystanders reacted strongly, expressing their discontent with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on site.

Cmdr. Gregory Bovino of U.S. Customs and Border Protection was present during the incident as the city government advised the public to avoid the area around East 34th Street and Portland Avenue.

Witnesses were vocal in their disapproval of the federal presence, with chants of Shame! Shame! Shame! echoing from behind police lines. This echoes sentiments from past immigration enforcement situations in other cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago, where similar reactions from community members were observed.

Following the shooting incident, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the actions of ICE, stating, We are demanding ICE leave the city and state immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities. His remarks underline growing tensions within the immigrant community amidst ongoing enforcement actions.

The Department of Homeland Security recently announced an extensive operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, deploying 2,000 agents as part of larger efforts to address allegations of fraud connected to residents, particularly in Somali communities.

In response to these enforcement actions, local advocacy groups such as the Immigration Defense Network have mobilized to prepare community members for monitoring federal activities. Mary Moran, a participant in a recent training session, expressed her determination to act, stating, I feel like I’m an ordinary person, and I have the ability to do something so I need to do it.

The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the implications of federal immigration policy enforcement on local communities, potentially intensifying calls for reform and accountability.