Federal immigration officials reported on Tuesday that Border Patrol and ICE are experiencing increased violence in Minneapolis, with incidents such as vehicle crashes occurring as recently as the last couple of days. This comes during a significant enforcement operation aimed at apprehending criminal illegal aliens in the Twin Cities.
Greg Bovino, the commander of Customs and Border Protection facilities in the region, stated at a Department of Homeland Security news conference that there were indeed collisions involving vehicles—one today and one yesterday. He explained that the two suspects attempted to collide with a Border Patrol agent before fleeing the scene, which also involved a civilian vehicle being struck. Both suspects were taken into custody, but no additional details were provided.
This press conference occurred amidst heightened protests, political pushback, and federal scrutiny regarding immigrant enforcement initiatives. The operation was prompted by the death of Renee Nicole Good on January 7.
Bovino, at the conference with ICE’s acting executive associate director for enforcement and removal operations, discussed the surge in arrests and escalating tensions from local officials during Operation Metro Surge. He emphasized that their focus is on public safety and violent offenders, denying suggestions that their actions were random or politically driven.
“Our operations are legal, targeted, and centered on individuals who pose significant threats to the community,” Bovino asserted. “They’re not random and they’re certainly not political.”
Bovino criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for what he termed “heated rhetoric,” which he believes exacerbates the challenges federal agents face. He said that government officials are arresting serious criminals, including murderers and sex offenders.
According to Bovino, federal agents have recently encountered threats and assaults, with some objects thrown at them and vehicles damaged, although they vowed to continue their operations. He brought up recent incidents involving a registered sex offender and individuals linked to violent crimes, expressing concerns about disruptions during anti-ICE protests outside a church service.
In the Q&A segment of the conference, Bovino rejected claims that agents were acting outside the law, arguing that many conflicts arise due to instigators rather than average citizens. He stated, “Often it’s the protesters who escalate tensions, not the agents.” He also shared updates about an officer involved in a January 7 shooting, noting that the officer was recuperating at home but providing no further details about their current status.
Requests for comments from the offices of Walz and Frey, as well as the Minneapolis Police Department, went unanswered.
