Protests Intensify in Minneapolis as ICE Agents Clash with Locals, Use Tear Gas

Protests have intensified in Minneapolis, Minnesota, over the past several days following the fatal shooting of an American woman by an officer of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Amid the unrest, clashes erupted between ICE agents and local residents after the detention of a man during an immigration operation, prompting agents to deploy tear gas and pepper spray to control the situation.

According to NBC News, ICE agents were conducting an immigration-related operation at a specific location when local residents attempted to block the action. Witnesses said tensions quickly escalated, leading to physical confrontations between protesters and federal officers. To disperse the crowd and clear a path to remove the detained individual, agents used chemical irritants, including tear gas and pepper spray.

Several protesters and bystanders reportedly fell ill after being exposed to the gas. Local human rights activists and witnesses strongly condemned the use of such force, arguing that deploying chemical agents in densely populated residential areas poses serious risks to civilians.

Videos circulating on social media show crowds surrounding a vehicle as officers attempted to place a detainee inside. As the situation deteriorated, agents began using gas to disperse the crowd.

In a statement, ICE said its officers were carrying out a lawful operation when a group of individuals interfered and created a security threat. The agency said force was used only to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of officers.

Following the incident, fear and tension have spread throughout local immigrant communities. Community leaders have called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the events.

The clashes come amid nationwide protests sparked by the recent killing of an American woman by an ICE agent. Public anger toward the agency has been growing, with multiple demonstrations held across the United States. Lawsuits have also been filed against the Trump administration, challenging ICE operations as unconstitutional and naming several federal officers in the complaints.