LIVE UPDATES | ICE in Minnesota: FBI serves grand jury subpoenas to 5 MN government offices
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations continue Tuesday in Minnesota.
Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a response to the State of Minnesota's legal filings to end the ICE surge in the state, arguing the motion is "legally frivolous." On Monday, a judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release a group of six Venezuelan family members detained during a raid last week, due to agents failing to provide a warrant.
Several news conferences related to ICE in Minnesota are scheduled for Tuesday.
Watch FOX 9 live in the player at the top of the page. Additional coverage, including of live events, can be found in the player below.
Find live updates on ICE operations below.
6:30 - Gregory Bovino says ICE operations in MN are 'legal, ethical, and moral'
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino says he has seen "better organization" by groups opposing ICE in Minnesota but vowed that the Department of Homeland Security will continue "enforcing the law."
Bovino appeared Tuesday afternoon along with Acting Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Marcos Charles at a news conference in Minnesota. It marked the second briefing on the ICE operation in Minnesota since Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem spoke at Whipple Building on Jan. 7 following the shooting of Renee Good.
5:45 - FBI releases new photos of suspect who stole from federal vehicles
The FBI released new photos of a suspect wanted for stealing government property from federal vehicles after an ICE shooting in Minneapolis last week as it offers a $100,000 reward in the case.
Last week, videos showed protesters tearing a safe box from a federal vehicle following the shooting in the area of 24th Avenue North and 6th Street North. In the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security said its officer shot a man in the leg after he had been attacked during an arrest.
5 p.m. - Off-duty Minnesota officers allege racial profiling by ICE
Minnesota law enforcement leaders are voicing concerns about racial profiling by federal agents. They claim their officers have experienced profiling while off-duty.
A Brooklyn Park officer reported being racially profiled in traffic by ICE agents, said Chief Mark Bruley.
4 p.m. - Activists call for pastor with ICE connection to resign
Twin Cities community members and activists gathered at the Hennepin County Government Center on Tuesday to call for the resignation of the pastor at a St. Paul church due to his possible connection to ICE.
Nekiva Levy Armstrong, a Twin Cities civil rights attorney and ordained reverend since 2016, and Monique Cullers, the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, were among a group of community activities Tuesday to call for the resignation of David Easterwood as pastor of Cities Church in St. Paul.
They say Easterwood is also the acting field director for ICE in Minnesota. They say it’s a direct conflict of interest for someone in a faith leadership role to also be a leader in immigration enforcement operations.
2:58 p.m. - 10K ICE arrests in MN over the past year
Border Patrol's Gregory Bovino at a news conference on Tuesday said ICE has arrested 10,000 people in Minnesota over the past year.
Over the weekend, DHS said there had been 3,000 ICE arrests during Operation Metro Surge, which began in December.
Meanwhile, officials said over the weekend and through the holiday, ICE arrested 113 people in the United States illegally.
2:27 p.m. - Rep. Rarick: ‘ICE must follow the Constitution’
Minnesota state Rep. Marion Rarick (R-Maple Lake) posted on social media on Tuesday saying, "ICE must follow the Constitution. ICE must immediately stop this behavior. ICE must stop racial profiling and violating civil rights as has been experienced and documented by law enforcement. Full stop. No excuses. Just stop."
2:24 p.m. - Ellison on subpoena
2:10 p.m. - Mayor Her on subpoena
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her released the following statement after her office received a subpoena from the U.S. DOJ:
"The president promised retribution, and consistent with that promise, we received a subpoena today from the US Attorney’s Office. I am unfazed by these tactics, and I stand firm in my commitment to protect our residents, neighbors, and community."
1:20 p.m. - Trump highlights ‘worst of worst’ arrests in MN
Pres. Trump highlights 'worst of worst' arrests in MN
President Trump started off a press briefing marking the first year of his second term in office by going over some of the worst detainees arrested in Minnesota during the recent ICE surge.
At a White House press briefing on Tuesday, President Donald Trump highlight the "worst of worst" arrests in Minnesota.
He also commented on the anti-ICE church protest in St. Paul.
Pres. Trump blasts anti-ICE church protest in St. Paul
President Trump commented on the anti-ICE protest staged at a St. Paul church over the weekend, opposing a church pastor who also serves at the regional ICE field office in Minnesota.
1:13 p.m. - Frey's response to subpoena
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's office received the subpoena Tuesday afternoon. In a statement to FOX 9, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said:
"When the federal government weaponizes its power to try to intimidate local leaders for doing their jobs, every American should be concerned. We shouldn't have to live in a country where people fear that federal law enforcement will be used to play politics or crack down on local voices they disagree with. In Minneapolis, we won't be afraid. We know the difference between right and wrong, and, as Mayor, I'll continue doing the job I was elected to do: keeping our community safe and standing up for our values."
12:40 p.m. - FBI serves grand jury subpoenas to 5 MN government offices
The U.S. Department of Justice has served grand jury subpoenas to five Minnesota government offices, including Gov. Tim Walz's office, Attorney General Keith Ellison's office, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's office, sources told FOX News.
12:30 p.m. - Local law enforcement to speak with ICE supervisors
Local law enforcement leaders are speaking out about ICE operations in the state, saying that it is making their job harder. Law enforcement officers say they are losing trust with the public due to ICE agents' actions in Minnesota.
Watch the full press conference here:
MN law enforcement leaders speak out on ICE operations
Law enforcement leaders from across the Twin Cities spoke out about ICE operations in the area.
12:15 p.m. - Education impacts due to ICE operations
Education leaders, students and families spoke out about how ICE operations are impacting education in the state.
Students, families speak on ICE impact on education
Students, families and education leaders spoke out about ICE operations in Minnesota and how it is impacting education.
11:30 a.m. - Physicians speak out on ICE impacts on health care
Physicians in Minnesota held a news conference on Tuesday to discuss ICE operations' impacts on health care.
Watch it below.
11:50 a.m. - Gov. Walz shares statement on ICE operations
Gov. Tim Walz shared the following statement regarding the ongoing ICE operations in Minnesota:
"Mr. President, Minnesota invites you to see our values in action. Come see how communities from all walks of life are working together, and how the spirit of this state refuses to be defined by division or fear. I invite you to join me, and others in our community, to help restore calm and order and reaffirm that true public safety comes from shared purpose, trust, and respect.
"But let me be absolutely clear: The State of Minnesota will not be drawn into political theater. This Justice Department investigation, sparked by calls for accountability in the face of violence, chaos, and the killing of Renee Good, does not seek justice. It is a partisan distraction. Minnesotans are more concerned with safety and peace than baseless legal tactics aimed at intimidating public servants standing shoulder to shoulder with their community.
"My focus has always been protecting the people of this state. Families are scared. Kids are afraid to go to school. Small businesses are hurting. A mother is dead, and the people responsible have yet to be held accountable. That’s where the energy of the federal government should be directed: toward restoring trust, accountability, and real law and order, not political retaliation.
"Minnesota will not be intimidated into silence and neither will I."
8 a.m. - President Trump on protest outside Twin Cities church
Activists with the Racial Justice Network disrupted church services at Cities Church in St. Paul to oppose a pastor at the church.
Protesters went to the church because they say the pastor in question, David Easterwood, is also the acting field office director for ICE in Minnesota.
President Donald Trump posted this to Truth Social regarding the protest:
"Just watched footage of the Church Raid in Minnesota by the agitators and insurrectionists. These people are professionals! No person acts the way they act. They are highly trained to scream, rant, and rave, like lunatics, in a certain manner, just like they are doing. They are troublemakers who should be thrown in jail, or thrown out of the Country. The first to go should be Walz, and Fake Sleazebag, Ilhan Omar, who is supposedly worth over $30 Million Dollars, even though she’s never had anything but a Government job. Investigate these Corrupt Politicians, and do it now!"
7:45 a.m. - ‘Taco Tuesday’: Push to eat local during ICE operations
Push to eat local on 'Taco Tuesday' amid ICE operations
There's a push on social media to encourage people to go eat at local restaurants in the Twin Cities metro amid ongoing ICE operations. The idea is to help struggling local restaurants, especially those owned or operated by immigrants, during ICE's operations in Minnesota.
Community members are encouraging people to eat at local restaurants in the Twin Cities during ICE operations, to help struggling restaurants in the area. It is especially encourages people to eat at restaurants owned and operated by immigrants.
7:30 a.m. - News conferences regarding ICE
Educators, clergy speaking out against ICE
Several groups, from educators to clergy, will speak out against ICE at various news conferences on Tuesday. Here's a rundown.
There are multiple press conferences planned regarding the impact on ICE operations in the Twin Cities.
Here is a list of events for Tuesday so far:
- 9:30 a.m.: Dakota County Board meets regarding ICE surge costs
- 10 a.m.: Students, families and community leaders talk about ICE's impact on education
- 11:30 a.m.: Minnesota physicians on ICE impact
- 1 p.m.: MSP Airport workers speak out against ICE operations at the airport