Reports have surfaced of Trump administration officers in Minneapolis and surrounding areas stopping U.S. citizens, demanding identification and questioning their citizenship, sparking concerns about potential overreach. One man, Gage Diego Garcia, recounted a six-hour detention after refusing to provide ID, alleging aggressive behavior and threats from officers. The Department of Homeland Security defended these actions, citing the Fourth Amendment’s allowance for “reasonable suspicion,” while critics argue these practices enable racial profiling and violate constitutional rights. Legal experts emphasize that U.S. citizens are not required to provide identification when walking in public, and advise individuals to remain calm and inquire about the reason for the stop.
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The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration alleging that federal immigration authorities in Minnesota have engaged in racial profiling and unlawful arrests during ICE raids. The 72-page lawsuit claims that federal agents disproportionately targeted Somali and Latino communities, violating citizens’ constitutional rights. The lawsuit details instances where U.S. citizens were detained, questioned, and even subjected to pepper spray, despite providing proof of citizenship. The ACLU asserts that these actions constitute a grave violation of fundamental rights, and a breach of American laws.
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In Minneapolis, a significant ICE operation has led to the detention and questioning of several Native American men, with community members reporting racial profiling and mistaken identity concerns. ICE agents attempted to enter Little Earth Housing Project, a Native American residential area, and detained multiple individuals, including a Red Lake Nation descendant, Jose Roberto “Beto” Ramirez, who was later released. These actions have sparked protests and calls for ICE’s removal from the state, with tribal leaders and community advocates expressing concerns about the targeting of Native communities and the lack of readily available data on ICE encounters. Several tribal organizations have issued statements condemning ICE’s actions and presence in Minneapolis, with some tribes now working to issue tribal IDs to all members ages five and up.
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The REAL ID Act, enacted in 2005, aimed to establish uniform standards for state IDs for security purposes, yet the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now considers it unreliable for confirming U.S. citizenship. This is despite REAL IDs requiring proof of citizenship for issuance. In a court filing, DHS admitted REAL IDs’ unreliability, and that agents may disregard the ID as proof of citizenship. This stance, revealed in response to a lawsuit regarding an instance of racial profiling, raises questions about the REAL ID’s effectiveness and its adherence to the Fourth Amendment.
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Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s previous statement on immigration enforcement, which allowed ethnicity to be a “relevant factor,” has been criticized for being exploited by immigration officials leading to racial profiling and excessive force. In a recent Supreme Court decision, Kavanaugh has seemingly backtracked on his position by stating that race and ethnicity should not be considered in immigration stops, contradicting his earlier stance. This move, which did not directly address or acknowledge the previous controversy, has been interpreted as an attempt to distance himself from the “Kavanaugh stops” label, and the resulting criticism without taking responsibility. Despite this attempted course correction, commentators argue that the Justice cannot undo the legal and practical impact of his initial statements.
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Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar reported that her son was pulled over by ICE agents who asked for proof of citizenship, a situation that prompted her to express concerns about racial profiling. Omar stated her son always carries his passport, after ICE also entered a mosque where he was praying. These incidents occurred amidst a surge of federal agents into the Twin Cities, targeting the Somali community, which Omar believes is a direct response to President Trump’s statements. She has since sent a letter to Homeland Security, accusing agents of “blatant racial profiling.”
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Minneapolis city officials are condemning the wrongful arrest of a U.S. citizen, Mubashir, who was apprehended by ICE agents and allegedly targeted for his Somali appearance. According to Mubashir, he was tackled and detained without proper identification, despite asserting his citizenship and offering his passport. After being held for hours, he was released and ordered to walk in the snow after being released, as Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the actions, calling it a violation of law and the Constitution. In response, local leaders are coordinating legal strategies and Governor Tim Walz has demanded a review of the operation, amid the backdrop of a recent immigration crackdown and comments made by former President Trump.
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In Charlotte, North Carolina, immigration enforcement has led to heightened fear within the community, as evidenced by increased Border Patrol presence and the closure of some Latino-owned businesses. Since the implementation of “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” over 130 people have been arrested, prompting concerns about racial profiling and the targeting of Hispanic communities. Detainees, including those with and without criminal histories, have been sent to detention centers, with some potentially facing transfer to Louisiana due to overcrowding. Community members, like Jonathan Ocampo, are living in fear, with some carrying their passports as a precaution.
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In Iowa, a Native American woman was mistakenly issued an ICE detainer in her jail file, despite proving her U.S. citizenship, which nearly resulted in a wrongful transfer. The incident, involving a 24-year-old from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, exposed the potential for errors within the 287(g) program, where local law enforcement assists ICE. While the Polk County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the error, the Department of Homeland Security vehemently denies the detainer, creating conflicting accounts. Jacobo’s family is considering legal action, raising further questions about the program and potential racial profiling within the system.
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A US citizen and construction worker, Leo Garcia Venegas, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration after being detained twice by immigration agents in Alabama. The lawsuit challenges workplace raids targeting industries with large immigrant workforces, alleging unconstitutional enforcement tactics and targeting based on appearance and ethnicity. Despite providing identification, Venegas was detained in raids where agents allegedly lacked warrants and focused on Latino-looking workers. The Department of Homeland Security dismissed the suit, asserting that arrests are based on legal status, not race.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ACLU Sues Trump Administration Over Minnesota ICE Tactics
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration alleging that federal immigration authorities in Minnesota have engaged in racial profiling and unlawful arrests during ICE raids. The 72-page lawsuit claims that federal agents disproportionately targeted Somali and Latino communities, violating citizens’ constitutional rights. The lawsuit details instances where U.S. citizens were detained, questioned, and even subjected to pepper spray, despite providing proof of citizenship. The ACLU asserts that these actions constitute a grave violation of fundamental rights, and a breach of American laws.
Read More