Volunteer groups monitoring U.S. immigration enforcement report growing pressure from federal agents, including visits to their homes. These volunteers typically track U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, sounding whistles to alert neighborhoods to agents' presence and recording their enforcement actions.
In Maine, Liz Eisele McLellan, an ICE activity observer, recounted a federal agent's threatening visit to her home. While she spoke with one agent, three federal vehicles blocked the street outside. The agent stated, "This is a warning. We know you live here." McLellan recalled, "That was one of the scariest things that ever happened to me." She called 911 after the incident, but the dispatcher advised her to comply with the federal agent's demands. U.S. law permits citizens to monitor ICE activities, but prohibits resisting or obstructing federal agents in their duties.
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Liz Eisele McLellan, a volunteer monitoring ICE activities in Maine. Photo: Portland Press Herald |
Liz Eisele McLellan, a volunteer monitoring ICE activities in Maine. Photo: Portland Press Herald
Similar intimidation tactics have been reported elsewhere. In Portland, Maine, a masked ICE agent warned a woman recording their operations that her personal information could be added to a database, potentially labeling her a domestic terrorist. This account came from a witness who spoke to the media. A video circulating on social media platform X also reportedly shows an ICE agent warning a legal observer in Minnesota that if they spoke up, they would be "silenced."
Federal officials reported over 200 arrests in Maine operations, claiming they targeted "the worst of the worst." However, local officials stated that ICE was also apprehending individuals without criminal records.
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Federal agents with guns search a home in Minneapolis to apprehend a suspected undocumented immigrant on 11/1. Photo: AP |
Federal agents with guns search a home in Minneapolis to apprehend a suspected undocumented immigrant on 11/1. Photo: AP
The tensions have escalated into violence. This month, agents from ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, Minnesota: Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good. Days before Pretti's fatal shooting, a CBS News survey revealed that 61% of participants found ICE agents "too harsh" in stopping and arresting suspected undocumented immigrants.
Thousands of federal agents, reportedly without adequate crowd control training, have been deployed to unwelcomed cities and neighborhoods. This has heightened tensions and increased the risk of violence. In response to increasing ICE-related violence, thousands of Minnesota residents protested.
On 26/1, President Donald Trump announced a new plan for Minnesota, an apparent move to de-escalate tensions. He stated that "border czar" Tom Homan would oversee ICE and CBP operations in the state, while agents facing strong public opposition rapidly left the city.
Ha Linh (According to TNR, Portland Press Herald)
