Mubashir, a 20-year-old Somali-American, was forcibly restrained by a masked individual on 9/12 in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incident occurred shortly after lunch as he stepped out into the snowy weather, when the person rushed him, pushing him towards the building's hallway.
"I told him, 'I am a US citizen. What is happening?'" CNN reported today, quoting Mubashir, who did not wish to disclose his full name. "He dragged me out into the snow while I was handcuffed."
Video recorded by residents shows two agents escorting Mubashir to a vehicle. One agent grabbed his neck, attempting to push his head down onto the snow-covered pavement, before placing him into an unmarked gray SUV. "I am a US citizen," Mubashir repeatedly stated during the encounter.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) commented on the incident, stating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were engaged in a "voluntary encounter" with a suspected undocumented immigrant in a "high-crime area" when Mubashir exited a nearby restaurant, turned, and fled. Agents "had reason to suspect" and pursued Mubashir. DHS accused Mubashir of "actively resisting and refusing to answer questions" from agents. Conversely, Mubashir stated the individual did not identify himself as an ICE agent, making him feel like he was being attacked and abducted by a stranger.
During a press conference, Mubashir recounted that he stood still after turning back when he saw a parked vehicle. Video from the restaurant's security camera shows an agent rushing into the restaurant, pushing Mubashir into a glass door. "Why did you run?" the agent asked.
DHS reported that an agitated crowd gathered and "began threatening the agents." "They detained Mubashir to safely complete the interrogation. He was released shortly thereafter."
Mubashir stated he attempted to show agents an electronic copy of his passport on his phone and provided his name and date of birth to prove his citizenship, but they refused. Instead, they requested permission to take his photo for identity verification. Ultimately, Mubashir agreed to allow agents to scan his face.
After several unsuccessful facial and fingerprint scans, agents transported Mubashir to a federal detention facility. There, Mubashir stated he requested water and medical assistance but was denied. The DHS statement did not address these allegations.
Mubashir was released after two hours of detention. He asked agents to take him back to the restaurant, but they told him he had to walk back in the snow. Eventually, Mubashir called his parents to pick him up.
"If a US citizen can be treated this way right in front of cameras, imagine what could happen to your loved ones when no one is there to witness it," said Mubashir, who has lived in the US since the age of 4, during the press conference.
Mubashir's arrest occurred as ICE conducted an operation targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
"He was wrongly arrested for 'looking Somali'," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. "This is a clear violation of US law and the Constitution."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, urging her to review all recent federal arrests and expressing concern about Mubashir's arrest and those of other US citizens.
Duc Trung (According to CNN, AP, Washington Post)
