With 1,500 troops reportedly on standby to deploy to Minnesota, tensions are rising in the state as protests continue against Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. US officials say they are targeting the worst of the worst but critics warn migrants with no criminal record and US citizens are being detained, too.
It could be anybody, says Sunshine, a St Paul resident. She has chosen to use a pseudonym for fear of targeting by authorities. Concerned for her community's well-being, she tracks US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to hold them accountable.
Each day, residents volunteer to spot ICE agents while urging peaceful protests against their presence. Minnesota officials have expressed gratitude for the orderly response but noted that clashes have occurred, prompting the use of tear gas and pepper balls by authorities.
A critical moment arose when a US federal judge issued an order limiting crowd control tactics that could be used by ICE against peaceful protesters. Judge Katherine Menendez ruled that federal agents cannot arrest or use pepper spray on demonstrators monitoring ICE activities.
President Trump has remained steadfast in his mass deportation plans targeting Minnesota, especially after the January 7th fatal shooting of local woman Renée Good by an ICE agent, a case that remains contentious and under FBI investigation.
This week, with the temperature plummeting, protests intensified against ICE agents outside the federal building hosting them, reports a local journalist. Many residents, like Sunshine, feel compelled to act despite risks, demonstrating solidarity and concern for their community amidst escalating federal enforcement actions.
The situation continues to evolve, with reports of conflicting narratives surrounding ICE's actions and community responses amid a backdrop of heightened national immigration enforcement policies.
