Immigration agents, guns drawn, chase activists into Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Activists were arrested by gun-toting immigration officers after their vehicles were chased in Minneapolis on Tuesday, while education leaders described concern and fear over an ongoing federal sweep of Minnesota schools.

The departure of high-profile commander Greg Bovino of the US Board Patrol and the arrival of Trump administration border czar Tom Homan are both signs of continued tension in the Minneapolis area, which shot and killed protester Alex Pretty.

“There’s less smoke on the ground,” Gov. Tim Walz said, referring to tear gas and other provocations used by officers against protesters, “but I think it’s a lot cooler than last week because the schools, the kids, were relocated.”

At least one person who wrote an anti-ice message on clothing was handcuffed as he fell face down on the floor. An Associated Press photographer witnessed the arrest.

ICE agents are changing their tactics

Federal agents in the Twin Cities have recently been conducting more targeted immigration arrests in homes and neighborhoods rather than staging them in parking lots. Convoys have become harder to spot and less aggressive. Alerts in activist group chats have been more about observations than immigration-related detentions.

Several cars chased officers through south Minneapolis after they reported knocking at a home. The officers stopped their vehicles and ordered the activists out of the cars at gunpoint. Agents told reporters at the scene to stay back and threatened to use pepper spray.

Last month, a federal judge set limits on how officers can deal with motorists who follow them but do not obstruct their operations. The agents following safely “at a reasonable distance, by themselves, do not raise reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle,” the judge said. But the appellate court canceled the order.

Bovino, who heads immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and other major U.S. cities, left the city last week, shortly after Pretty’s death became the second local killing of a U.S. citizen in January.

Homan, who was sent to Minnesota to succeed Bovino, warned that protesters could face consequences if they interfered with authorities.

Operation Metro Surge is affecting schools

Walz and education leaders held a news conference to say the presence of immigration officials scared some school communities. Brenda Lewis, superintendent of Friedley Public Schools in suburban Minneapolis, said she has been followed twice by ICE agents since speaking publicly, and school board members stationed ICE vehicles outside the home for hours.

“Students are afraid to come to school, parents are afraid to leave,” said Lewis, an American citizen. “Employees are coming to work wondering if something is going to happen in one of our buildings today.”

She said Fridley, which has Somali and Ecuadorian families, has added security and trained supervisors, adjusted drop-off procedures and increased mental health support. Tracy Jeong, a social worker in the Columbia Heights district, said she is looking for volunteers to deliver groceries to school families and drive children around.

There was no immediate response to requests for comment from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the arrests and teachers’ concerns in south Minneapolis.

Grand jury seeks communications, records

Meanwhile, Tuesday was the deadline for Minneapolis to produce information for a federal grand jury. It’s part of a U.S. Justice Department request for records of any efforts to stop the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Officials have condemned it as an intimidation tactic.

“We’ve done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide, but when the federal government weapons the criminal justice system against political opponents, it’s important to stand up and fight back,” said Eli Peters, a spokeswoman for Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat.

She said the city is in compliance, but she did not elaborate. Subpoenas were issued to other state and local offices held by Democrats, though it is not known if they had the same deadline. People familiar with the matter told the AP that the subpoenas are related to an investigation into whether Minnesota officials obstructed enforcement through public statements.

The person involved in the Omar incident has not been released

Elsewhere, Democratic US Rep. A man accused of slathering Ilhan Omar with apple cider vinegar will remain in jail. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Schultz granted federal prosecutors’ request to detain Anthony Kazmierczak.

“We can’t have protesters and people — no matter what side of the aisle they’re on — conducting official business, and holding town halls and attacking deputies,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bezar said Tuesday.

Defense attorney John Fossum said vinegar posed a low risk to Omar. He said Kazmierczak’s health problems were not properly addressed in prison and his release would be appropriate.

___

Raza reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. AP correspondent Ed White in Detroit and Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa contributed.