MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Immigration officers with guns drawn arrested some activists walking in their vehicles Tuesday in Minneapolis, a sign that tensions have not eased since the departure last week of a high-profile commander.
At least one person who had an anti-ICE message on their clothing was handcuffed while lying face down on the ground. An Associated Press photographer witnessed the arrests.
Federal agents in the Twin Cities have recently been conducting more targeted immigration arrests in homes and neighborhoods, rather than parking lots. Convoys were harder to spot and less aggressive. Alerts in activist group chats were more about sightings than immigration-related detentions.
Several cars followed officers south of Minneapolis after reports of them crashing into homes. The officers stopped their vehicles and ordered the activists to get out of the car at gunpoint. The agents told the journalists on the spot to stay back and threatened to use pepper spray.
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A federal judge last month placed limits on how officers treat drivers who are following them but not obstructing their operations. The judge said that following the agents safely “at an appropriate distance does not, by itself, create reasonable suspicion to justify a stop of the vehicle. An appeals court, however, annulled the order.
Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, who had been leading an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and other major US cities, left the city last week, shortly after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, the second local killing of a US citizen in January.
Instead, the border Czar of the Trump administration, Tom Homan, was sent to Minnesota. He warned that the protesters could face consequences if they interfere with the officers.
Grand jury seeks communications, records
Meanwhile, Tuesday was the deadline for Minneapolis to produce information for a federal grand jury. It is part of a US Department of Justice request for records of any efforts to curb the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Officials denounced it as a bullying tactic.
“We’ve done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide, but when the federal government arms the criminal justice system against political opponents, it’s important to stand up and fight back,” said Ally Peters, spokeswoman for Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat.
She said the city was complying, but did not elaborate. Other state and local offices run by Democrats were issued subpoenas, although it is not known if they had the same deadline. People familiar with the matter told the AP that the subpoenas are related to an investigation into whether Minnesota officials obstructed enforcement through public statements.
No bond for man in Omar incident
Elsewhere, a man accused of pouring apple cider vinegar on Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar will remain in prison. US Magistrate Judge David Schultz granted a federal prosecutor’s request to deny bond to Anthony Kazmierczak.
“We simply cannot have protesters and people – whatever side of the aisle they’re on – running towards representatives who are conducting official business, and holding town halls, and attacking them,” Assistant US Attorney Benjamin Bejar said Tuesday.
Defense attorney John Fossum said the vinegar posed a low risk to Omar. He said that Kazmierczak’s health problems were not being properly addressed in prison and that his release would be appropriate.
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Raza reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. AP reporters Ed White in Detroit and Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed.