Minneapolis Police Chief Warns Residents Amid ICE Operations

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has called on residents to report any sightings of ICE agents allegedly “kidnapping” individuals as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts against illegal immigration in the Twin Cities.

In a somewhat cryptic news conference, O’Hara mentioned receiving reports from the community about individuals in masks, questioning if they were legitimate law enforcement and claiming they were abducting people. He noted, “We’re getting calls saying there are people in masks… We’re getting reports like that.”

On Tuesday, O’Hara shared an unusual petition from Mayor Jacob Frey, who accused immigration officials of specifically “targeting Somalis” based on their appearance. Frey expressed concerns that it seemed “inevitable” that ICE operations would lead to the rounding up of citizens.

O’Hara underscored the importance of vigilance, saying that the community should be aware that if they witness such occurrences, it is within the law to report them. He advised, “If you’re not sure if someone is law enforcement, you should call 911 and provide as much information as possible.” He reassured that the police have a strong obligation to step in when necessary.

Recent reports indicate that about 100 ICE agents were sent to Minneapolis, with plans to target approximately 500 undocumented Somali immigrants. This comes in light of allegations of widespread fraud involving over $1 billion in taxpayer funds from the state Department of Human Services.