ICE Admits Federal Agents Lied About Confrontation That Led to Shooting

Agents under investigation as prosecutors drop charges against two immigrants

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Two federal immigration officers are under investigation by the Department of Justice after ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said they appear to have lied about an incident last month in Minneapolis that ended with one of them shooting a Venezuelan immigrant in the leg. The announcement comes a day after federal prosecutors dropped the criminal cases against the two immigrants involved, with the U.S. Attorney's Office citing "newly discovered evidence" that contradicts the officers' original account.

Why it matters

This case raises serious concerns about the credibility of federal immigration enforcement officers and the potential for abuse of power. It also comes amid heightened tensions over immigration policies and the treatment of detainees, with the White House recently ending a surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities area.

The details

According to Lyons, a joint review of video evidence by ICE and the DOJ revealed that the two officers provided "untruthful statements" in their sworn testimony about the incident on January 14th. The officers had initially claimed that the two immigrants, Alfredo Aljorna and Julio Sosa Celis, assaulted them with a broom and shovel before one of the officers shot Sosa Celis in the leg. However, prosecutors say this account is contradicted by "newly discovered evidence." Both officers have been placed on administrative leave pending a full internal investigation.

  • The incident occurred on January 14, 2026.
  • On February 13, 2026, federal prosecutors dropped the criminal cases against Aljorna and Sosa Celis.
  • On February 14, 2026, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons announced the investigation into the officers' conduct.

The players

Todd Lyons

The Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Alfredo Aljorna

One of the two Venezuelan immigrants involved in the confrontation with federal agents in Minneapolis.

Julio Sosa Celis

One of the two Venezuelan immigrants involved in the confrontation with federal agents in Minneapolis, who was shot in the leg by an officer.

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What they’re saying

“A joint review by ICE and the Department of Justice (DOJ) of video evidence has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements.”

— Todd Lyons, ICE Acting Director

What’s next

The U.S. Attorney's Office is actively investigating the false statements made by the two federal officers, and local law enforcement and prosecutors are also looking into the incident. The two officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the internal investigation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency within federal immigration enforcement agencies. The apparent lies by the officers and the reversal by prosecutors raise serious questions about the use of force and the treatment of immigrants by federal authorities.