Minneapolis police chief says 911 lines flooded with complaints about ICE agents

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara revealed on '60 Minutes', aired Sunday, January 18, that their 911 system is being overwhelmed with complaints related to immigration enforcement.

This comes amid a large-scale crackdown in the city following the shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good last month by ICE Agent Jonathan Ross. The incident has sparked widespread protests across Minnesota and nationwide, raising concerns about public safety and federal enforcement practices.

Brian O' Hara on immigration crackdown and public safety concerns

The Trump administration has termed the initiative 'Operation Metro Surge', stating its goal is to crack down on illegal immigration and weed out fraud. However, O’Hara highlighted the severe consequences of the operation for residents. 

He said authorities have been seeing multiple 911 calls from people subjected to tear gas and pepper spray. In one case, a person was removed from a vehicle that was still rolling down the roadway because it had not been placed in park.

“In an ideal world… I have been very publicly saying this has been a risk for several weeks, trying to get anyone in a position of authority to understand that tragedy was imminent,” O’Hara said.

In January, the Trump administration announced a large‑scale deployment in Minneapolis of 2,000 agents and officers from ICE’s deportation division and Homeland Security Investigations, the agency responsible for investigating transnational crimes.

O’Hara, previously commenting on the worsening situation, said “this was entirely predictable” in the aftermath of the deployment of the agents and federal authorities. He went on to address the shooting, adding, “We recognize quite obviously that this has been building over the course of several weeks.” 

The operations have raised fears among residents about federal enforcement tactics. Last December, O’Hara also urged Minneapolis residents to call 911 if they observed ICE agents “kidnapping” people, noting reports of masked individuals who may not be clearly identifiable as law enforcement.

Legal response to ICE crowd control tactics

In response to these incidents, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, restricting federal law enforcement from using pepper spray, detaining, or pulling over peaceful protesters.

Judge Katherine Menendez of the US District Court in Minnesota emphasized that federal agents participating in Operation must refrain from actions against lawful demonstrations. The injunction will remain in effect until the operation concludes or the court determines it is no longer needed.

Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended federal officers, stating they have exercised restraint amid what she described as “riotous protests.” 

She asserted that DHS is taking appropriate measures to uphold the law and protect both officers and the public from rioters, adding that some protesters have assaulted law enforcement, launched fireworks, slashed vehicle tires, and vandalized federal property.

The injunction specifically prohibits federal agents from detaining or arresting lawful protesters, using pepper spray as crowd control, or stopping vehicles without reasonable suspicion of interference with enforcement activities.