U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that agitators are targeting churches in addition to hotels while searching for federal law enforcement officers in Minneapolis.
According to a statement on X, ICE revealed that protesters disrupted services at Cities Church in St. Paul during a Sunday service. The agency said that demonstrators entered the church and confronted members because they believed a pastor also served as a local ICE official. ICE noted that groups involved in demonstrations have been moving between hotels and churches while seeking federal law enforcement officers.
Local law enforcement and media have reported multiple protests and demonstrations in Minneapolis and St. Paul this month related to federal immigration enforcement operations. Data from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety indicate increased reports of civil unrest near venues where federal activity is concentrated, with Hennepin County authorities coordinating with federal partners on public safety responses.
The Department of Justice and federal officials are investigating the church disruption in St. Paul as a potential violation of federal law. At least two people were arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred amid broader demonstrations over immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.
ICE operates as a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security, established in 2003 to enforce immigration laws and combat cross-border criminal activity. The agency conducts arrests, detentions, and removals of individuals violating immigration statutes while prioritizing threats to national security and public safety. ICE employs over 20,000 personnel nationwide to execute its mission.
