Minneapolis Mayor and Police Chief Condemn ICE Detention of Somali-American Man Allegedly a U.S. Citizen

Minneapolis city leaders have strongly criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the detention of a Somali-American man they say is a United States citizen, an incident that has intensified concerns about racial profiling and federal immigration enforcement tactics in the city.

The incident occurred in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, an area known for its large Somali-American population. According to city officials, ICE agents detained a young Somali man during a street operation, despite his repeated claims that he was a U.S. citizen. Video footage later released by the City of Minneapolis shows a chaotic scene in which federal agents restrain the man while bystanders question the legality of the arrest.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the detention as deeply troubling and said it undermines public trust in law enforcement. “This individual was detained simply for walking down the street and appearing to be Somali,” Frey said at a press conference. “If a U.S. citizen can be stopped, detained, and treated this way based solely on how they look, that is a serious civil rights concern.”

Police Chief Brian O’Hara echoed the mayor’s remarks, criticizing ICE’s approach and emphasizing that Minneapolis police officers were not involved in the arrest. O’Hara said the tactics used by federal agents conflicted with the city’s emphasis on de-escalation and community trust. “This situation created unnecessary fear and confusion,” he said. “It’s exactly the kind of incident that damages relationships between law enforcement and the communities we serve.”

The man was reportedly held for several hours before being released after providing proof of citizenship. City officials say the case raises questions about ICE’s procedures for verifying immigration status and ensuring that citizens are not wrongfully detained.

ICE, however, has denied allegations of racial profiling. In a statement, the agency said its agents were conducting lawful enforcement activity and claimed that the situation escalated due to resistance and interference from the surrounding crowd. ICE officials insist that agents do not target individuals based on race or ethnicity and maintain that their actions were justified.

The incident has sparked fear and anger within Minneapolis’s Somali community, where many residents say they feel increasingly targeted by federal immigration enforcement despite being U.S. citizens or lawful residents. Community leaders warn that such encounters discourage cooperation with law enforcement and make immigrants and minorities feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods.

The controversy comes amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts nationwide, which have drawn criticism from several local governments. Minneapolis officials have called for clearer oversight of ICE operations and stronger protections to prevent the wrongful detention of U.S. citizens.

Civil rights advocates argue that the case highlights broader systemic issues within immigration enforcement. “This is not an isolated incident,” said one local advocate. “It shows how easily constitutional rights can be violated when enforcement relies on appearance rather than evidence.”

As calls for accountability grow, city leaders say they will continue pressing federal authorities for answers, insisting that no one should fear detention simply because of their ethnicity or where they live.