Immigration Agents Draw Guns, Arrest Activists Following Them in Minneapolis

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Immigration officers with guns drawn arrested some activists who were trailing their vehicles in Minneapolis on Tuesday, a sign that tensions have not eased since the departure of a high-profile immigration enforcement commander last week. The arrests come as federal agents have been conducting more targeted immigration arrests at homes and neighborhoods, rather than staging in parking lots, making the convoys harder to find and less aggressive.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration authorities and activist groups in Minneapolis, which has seen increased immigration enforcement activity in recent months. The arrests also raise concerns about the treatment of protesters and the limits on how officers can respond to those following their vehicles.

The details

At least one person who had an anti-ICE message on clothing was handcuffed while face-down on the ground. Federal agents lately have been conducting more targeted immigration arrests at homes and neighborhoods, rather than staging in parking lots. Several cars followed officers through south Minneapolis after there were reports of them knocking at homes. Officers stopped their vehicles and ordered activists to come out of a car at gunpoint. Agents told reporters at the scene to stay back and threatened to use pepper spray.

• On Tuesday, immigration officers with guns drawn arrested some activists who were trailing their vehicles in Minneapolis.
• Last week, Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, who was leading an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and other big U.S. cities, left town.

What’s next

A federal judge last month put limits on how officers can treat motorists who are following them but not obstructing their operations, but an appeals court later set the order aside.