Albert Lea Immigrant Targeted by Federal Agents After Facebook Marketplace Message

Woman says agents appeared at her home after responding to a request to sell a nightstand

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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An immigrant woman living in Albert Lea, Minnesota says federal immigration agents showed up at her home after she responded to a Facebook Marketplace message about selling a nightstand. The woman, who is originally from Peru and has been in the U.S. for just over a year, was home alone with her young daughter when the agents arrived. She hid in a bedroom out of fear, and the agents ultimately went to the apartment downstairs. The incident has left the family feeling scared to leave their new home, and they are now questioning whether they will stay in Albert Lea.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the fear and uncertainty that some immigrant families face, even when simply trying to engage in routine activities like selling household items online. The appearance of federal agents at the woman's home has shaken her sense of security and made her question whether she and her family can safely remain in their new community.

The details

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she had used Facebook Marketplace before without issue. On January 29th, she received a message from a man interested in buying a nightstand. When she contacted him around 12:20pm to say she was available, she came out of the bathroom to find about six federal agents in uniforms approaching her home. The agents ultimately went to the apartment downstairs, but the experience left the woman and her young daughter hiding in a bedroom out of fear. The woman later blocked the man who had contacted her, as well as another person who had recently messaged her about another item, suspecting the interactions were not genuine.

  • On January 29th, the woman received a message from a man interested in buying a nightstand around 8:30am.
  • Around 12:20pm on January 29th, the woman contacted the man to say she was available to meet.
  • Just after 12:20pm on January 29th, federal agents approached the woman's home.

The players

The Woman

A native of Peru who has been living in the U.S. for just over a year with her husband and young daughter. The family recently moved to a new home in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

The Man

An individual who contacted the woman through Facebook Marketplace about purchasing a nightstand, prompting the appearance of federal agents at her home.

Federal Agents

A group of federal immigration agents, some in navy blue uniforms and others in camouflage, who showed up at the woman's home after she responded to the Facebook Marketplace message.

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What they’re saying

“I was scared. I thought they might come and break the door.”

— The Woman (albertleatribune.com)

“Now I'm afraid to even open the door to take the trash out.”

— The Woman (albertleatribune.com)

“At this point I feel like I might be better off in my country where I know I might not get what I have here, or what I could have accomplished here for my daughter, but I will be with my mom and my dad.”

— The Woman (albertleatribune.com)

What’s next

The woman and her family have a hearing in immigration court scheduled for next month, which will determine the status of their immigration paperwork.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the climate of fear and uncertainty that some immigrant families face, even when engaging in routine activities. The appearance of federal agents at the woman's home has shaken her sense of security and made her question whether she and her family can safely remain in their new community in Albert Lea.