Border Patrol commander, ICE agents denied service at Minneapolis gas station amid rising protests

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino and several ICE officers were denied service at a Minneapolis-area gas station this week, according to video footage that has spread widely across social media, as tensions over federal immigration enforcement continue to rise.

The incident occurred Wednesday at a Speedway convenience store near Minneapolis, where a store employee refused to serve Bovino and other federal agents, openly citing opposition to ICE. The exchange was captured on video and later shared online by independent journalist Cam Higby, who confronted the employee on camera about the decision.

The encounter unfolded as protests against ICE have intensified nationwide, particularly in Minneapolis following a recent fatal shooting involving a federal agent.

Video shows gas station employee refusing service over ICE opposition

Footage shared online showed Bovino and other federal officers being turned away from the Speedway location after entering the store.

In the video, a Speedway employee was heard telling the agents they would not be served because staff at the store did not support ICE.

Higby approached the employee and confirmed on camera that the individual worked at the gas station before asking whether the refusal was deliberate.

“You guys kicked him out?” Higby asked.

“Yeah, I did. Because I wanted to. We don’t support ICE. Nobody here does. Neither do I,” the employee replied

Higby then turned toward Bovino and asked whether it was legal for a private business to deny service to federal law enforcement officers.

Before Bovino could answer, the employee interjected, saying, “If it is, I personally don’t care.”

The video quickly gained traction online, drawing sharp reactions from supporters and critics of ICE alike.

Incident draws attention as protests against ICE escalate in Minneapolis

The confrontation at the gas station took place amid expanding demonstrations against ICE across Minneapolis and other US cities.

Protests intensified following the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good, who was killed after an ICE officer fired his weapon as she accelerated her vehicle toward him during a federal operation, according to officials.

The shooting sparked widespread outrage and led to repeated demonstrations near federal buildings and ICE offices, with protesters calling for changes to immigration enforcement practices and greater accountability.

In recent weeks, Minneapolis has seen a visible increase in the federal law enforcement presence as part of broader immigration operations in the region.

As of publication, neither the Department of Homeland Security nor Speedway had issued an official statement addressing the incident.

It also remained unclear whether Speedway’s corporate leadership was aware of the refusal or whether the decision reflected company policy or the actions of an individual employee.