Three Minnesota law enforcement leaders on Tuesday criticized how federal immigration officers have conducted enforcement actions in the state, calling for “more supervision” during periods of heightened activity.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said residents and off-duty officers have reported being stopped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers “with no cause.” Bruley said his department has received persistent complaints alleging civil rights violations involving U.S. citizens.
He also noted that every officer who has reported experiencing ICE stops in Brooklyn Park is a person of color.
“If it is happening to our officers, it pains me to think how many of our community members are falling victim to this every day,” Bruley said. “It has to stop.”
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry emphasized that local leaders are not demanding ICE leave Minnesota entirely. Instead, he said they are seeking “common ground” around clear protocols and responsible conduct.
“Law enforcement has more authority than a general citizen,” Henry said. “That means we have more responsibility in how we behave.”
Hennepin County Sheriff DaWanna Witt echoed the call for stronger oversight and professionalism, urging what she described as greater accountability and humanity from federal authorities.
Protests continue as enforcement and political pressure intensify
Protests against federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota have continued despite freezing temperatures and increasingly forceful federal messaging.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said 3,000 people in the U.S. illegally have been arrested over the last six weeks. Attorney Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the nonprofit American Immigration Council, said those totals are “VERY likely false” and inflated.
Federal officials said ICE agents faced resistance Sunday in St. Paul while attempting to arrest two alleged child *** offenders, both immigrants from Laos, according to DHS. Officials said activists used car horns to alert neighbors that federal agents were in the area.
An officer was heard saying the honking was interfering with an operation targeting a child *** offender, adding, “That’s who you guys are protecting.”
The incident also included a mistaken encounter involving an American citizen, who was reportedly dragged outside wearing only underwear and sandals after agents burst into his home without a warrant.
Federal officials said the two immigrants remain at large.
Church protest tied to ICE supervisor draws federal response
On Sunday, 30 to 40 protesters interrupted a church service after learning a pastor there also serves as an ICE supervisor. President Donald Trump has called for those activists to be jailed, and Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department would use the full power of the law to prosecute them.
Organizers say they were invited into the church.
Nekima Levy Armstrong, who participated in the protest and leads the local civil rights group Racial Justice Network, said demonstrators were peaceful and intended to engage in dialogue.
“We were nonviolent, peaceful demonstrators coming to engage in a dialogue with the church,” Armstrong said.
NewsNation confirmed that Cities Church pastor David Easterwood is the acting field director of the ICE St. Paul field office.
Troops on standby, National Guard prepared
A source confirmed to NewsNation that at least 1,500 troops in Alaska—who specialize in operating in Arctic conditions—are on standby for possible deployment to Minnesota if Trump follows through on his threat to invoke the Insurrection Act.
The Minnesota National Guard is also on standby at the request of Gov. Tim Walz, prepared to assist local authorities if activated. Officials said troops are identified by bright yellow vests to distinguish them from other agencies operating in the Twin Cities during the ongoing unrest.
