Tensions in Minneapolis reached a boiling point this week as federal ICE officers carried out large-scale enforcement operations across the city. Residents reported chaotic scenes as officers used crowd-control devices, including flashbangs and tear gas, to disperse crowds during the operations.
One father described being stuck on Lyndale Avenue while trying to leave the area when a smoke or tear gas device landed near his vehicle, which had six children inside, including infants, with a 6-month-old being the youngest. The children reportedly experienced respiratory distress and were taken to a hospital for treatment. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening, but the incident has sparked outrage among residents and advocates.
The events follow a separate confrontation in which an ICE agent shot a man during an enforcement operation, prompting protests and calls for accountability. Many Minneapolis residents have expressed concern over the federal presence in the city, highlighting the risks for families and children caught in the middle of enforcement actions.
