Federal agents raid restaurant at Bloomington and Lake St.

• Jamie Holt, ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge for St. Paul: “Federal investigators conducted a groundbreaking criminal operation today – Minnesota’s first under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) umbrella – marking a new chapter in how we confront complex, multidimensional threats. From drug smuggling to criminal labor trafficking, this operation showcases the breadth of our collective missions and the strength of a united front. This HSI led investigation wouldn’t have been possible without the extraordinary collaboration of our state partners and federal HSTF partners, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, IRS-CI, DEA, ERO, ATF, USMS, DSS, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, TSA and local law enforcement. Together, we are safeguarding communities, protecting national security, and setting a new standard of joint enforcement efforts.”

• Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: “While we are still gathering details, this incident was related to a criminal search warrant for drugs and money laundering and was not related to immigration enforcement. No arrests were made."

• Minneapolis Ward 12 Council Member Aurin Chowdhury: "Statements made that this was not immigration enforcement even as ICE is present, are frivolous and irresponsible, especially without proof to the community. ICE across the nation are taking people without due process. We have been shown these past months it can happen anywhere and at any time. ... I am grateful to our neighbors who were there to document what occurred and use their voices to speak against the militarization of our streets and attacks on our immigrant neighbors. Our community is resilient. Our community stands against injustice. And today, our community like the rest of the nation deserves so much better."

• Ward 2 City Council Member Robin Wonsley: "Today, there was a large presence of federal law enforcement including ICE at the corner of East Lake St and Bloomington Ave. The Minneapolis Police and Hennepin County Sheriff Office were both present. Community members and new outlets have been circulating many disturbing photos and video clips from the scene, some of which appear to show MPD engaging with federal agents, blocking streets, and doing crowd control to facilitate whatever federal operation was occuring. Residents and community members who were present also reported that tear gas was used by agencies present. …
"The city cannot claim to be a welcoming city with guardrails that prohibit MPD from assisting ICE in immigration operations, while simultaneously taking actions that were witnessed by hundreds of residents that enabled the questionable actions of the Trump administration.  I also want to recognize that today’s events on Lake Street were triggering for many residents who experienced militarized law enforcement in their neighborhoods in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd.  
"A local pastor quoted in the Star Tribune coverage of today’s events summarized this dynamic: “the fact that we see Minneapolis police escorting these tanks down the street does not instill a lot of confidence within a community that has been really badly traumatized by the Minneapolis police over the last five years.”

• Minneapolis Ward 9 City Council Member Jason Chavez (who represents the area that includes Lake and Bloomington): "When my office heard that federal agents and ICE were on Lake Street, we immediately ran to the scene. When arriving, agents did not want to immediately respond to answers. My office and I were on site to observe and witness firsthand the militarization of our community. There were armored vehicles on Lake Street, federal agents carrying assault rifles, and militarized law enforcement present for an operation carried out under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), in what they called a “groundbreaking criminal operation.” 
"While we wait for more info, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson said this operation was in collaboration with local law enforcement and state partners, as well as the U.S. Border Patrol and ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), who are responsible for enforcing immigration laws. Further, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, IRS-CI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Coast Guard, and TSA were also listed as partners.
"Under the Minneapolis separation ordinance, the City does not operate its programs for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. Further, public safety officials shall not undertake any law enforcement action for the purpose of detecting the presence of undocumented people. While on site, I witnessed ICE agents, MPD helping to close the area off by handing closing tape to those conducting the operation, and assisting with crowd control. The events that took place yesterday showed that the separation ordinance did not protect us. 
"No matter what type of raid this was, it's clear that communication fell short, the City’s response did not keep people safe, and the Minneapolis Police Department’s presence with ICE agents was harmful to rebuilding community relations. 
"... Assisting with crowd control is assisting ICE.
"Minneapolis residents have the right to express themselves and gather information. That is why we showed up to record, take photos, and ask questions. We stood in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors, demonstrating that when our community is attacked, we come together and respond. Unfortunately, MPD’s actions made it more difficult for residents and legal observers to monitor and document these actions. 
"If it feels like you are being gaslit when leadership tells you not to worry about immigration enforcement, I am right there with you. I was on the ground alongside the people who came out in the rain and some of the worst air quality in the country to stand up for our neighbors. I saw firsthand a number of law enforcement personnel with ICE badges. I saw firsthand the disregard that many of those personnel held for the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors. And I saw firsthand the trauma and fear that a militarized law enforcement presence triggered for our community, which is still searching for answers that remain after the 2020 uprising. From my perspective, it felt like fear and intimidation were the point. It felt like the Trump administration was sending a message to Minneapolis and the Phillips and Powderhorn communities. And to see MPD right there alongside those federal agents felt like the ultimate betrayal. 
"Community members were shoved, thrown to the ground, pepper sprayed, and threatened with arrest. While we don’t have to accept it, we know that the Trump administration wants to bring harm to our communities. But we must expect more from our local governments. Dismissing the perceptions of our community is not how to build the trust that was lost in 2020. One way to rebuild that trust is by standing up to the Trump administration and telling them, 'Not in our city.'
"While we continue to gather all the facts, it is important to understand that in future instances where immigration raids occur, MPD will unfortunately be assisting ICE by conducting crowd control. Tomorrow, my colleagues and I will be bringing forward a request to the City Auditor for an After-Action review of the events that took place at Lake and Bloomington yesterday. But we know that that is not enough to ensure the safety and security of our neighbors. I will continue to work with my colleagues on other actions we can take on behalf of our communities to address these concerns. But most importantly, I will continue to work with community leaders and residents on the ground who are directly impacted by actions like this."