In the midst of heightened immigration enforcement efforts by the Trump administration, tensions have reached a boiling point in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Vice President JD Vance is set to meet with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the city, as protests against the agency’s actions continue to intensify.
The unrest was sparked by the recent shooting death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, by an ICE officer on January 7th. This incident, coupled with the detention of a 5-year-old boy and his father, as well as reports of ICE agents targeting off-duty police officers, has fueled outrage among local officials and residents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Thursday that two people have been arrested after anti-ICE protesters disrupted a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul. Meanwhile, in nearby Columbia Heights, at least four students have been taken into custody by ICE agents in recent weeks, according to local school district officials.
In response to the protests, the Department of Homeland Security has complained that its immigration agents are being prevented from even taking bathroom breaks due to “hostile” crowds. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino has gone so far as to label the protesters “rioters,” accusing some of “harassing” federal agents.
Vice President Vance has taken a hard line, slamming the ongoing demonstrations and urging local officials to “stop fighting immigration enforcement.” He is expected to meet with ICE agents before delivering public remarks in Minneapolis later on Thursday.
The situation in Minneapolis has drawn national attention, with Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, blasting the ongoing ICE operations in her state as well. “In America, we don’t believe in secret arrests or secret police,” she told reporters.
As the conflict continues to escalate, it remains to be seen whether Vance’s visit and the administration’s unyielding stance on immigration enforcement will help to quell the unrest or further inflame tensions in the city.
