"In late 2025, the Department of Homeland Security zeroed in on the Twin Cities in Minnesota, supposedly in response to fraud allegations made by a right-wing influencer. In the months since, thousands of immigrants have been swept up by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. In January alone, two American citizens were killed while documenting ICE operations in the city. Two Customs and Border Protection agents deployed to Minneapolis fatally shot protester Alex Pretti on January 24th, triggering another wave of protests throughout the city"
"Federal agents had already started deploying chemical irritants: tear gas and pepper spray. I got shot in the chest by nonlethal rounds from about 30 yards away. Fortunately, I was wearing enough winter clothing that it didn't hurt, but I most definitely felt the impact. I believe it was pepper balls. Still, they did not seem too pleased about it. I presume because it didn't cause the injury they were hoping for."
DHS focused enforcement actions on the Twin Cities in late 2025, citing alleged fraud tied to a right-wing influencer. Thousands of immigrants were subsequently apprehended by ICE. In January, two U.S. citizens documenting immigration operations were killed, and Customs and Border Protection agents fatally shot protester Alex Pretti on January 24, spurring widespread protests and further federal crackdown. Protesters reported aggressive crowd-control tactics, including tear gas, pepper spray, and nonlethal rounds; one local said he was struck in the chest by what he believes were pepper balls. An arrested protester described custody at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building; his identity was anonymized for safety.
Read at The Verge
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