A man shot by a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent died this Saturday (24) in Minneapolis, after being taken to the hospital. According to local authorities, the victim was 37 years old, lived in the city and was an American citizen. The case comes amid protests against federal immigration operations in the state of Minnesota.
Governor Tim Walz classified the episode as “atrocious” and stated that he had demanded from the White House an immediate end to federal actions in the state.
“Minnesota can’t take it anymore. This is disgusting,” the governor wrote on social media.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, the man was armed with a semi-automatic pistol and two magazines and allegedly reacted violently during a “targeted operation” to locate an undocumented immigrant. According to the agency, an officer fired after fearing for his life.
Unconfirmed videos circulating on social media show officers wearing vests identified as “Police” pinning a person to the ground before shooting. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that the case was reported to the corporation at around 9 am (local time) and that the victim apparently had legal possession of a weapon, permitted by state law.
Democratic officials and the city’s mayor, Jacob Frey, sharply criticized the federal operation. Minneapolis has been experiencing tension since the beginning of the month, when another ICE action resulted in the death of Renee Gooda 37-year-old US citizen, an episode that also sparked protests and ongoing investigations.
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for President Donald Trump’s government to be investigated for possible human rights violations in the treatment of immigrants and refugees. According to him, recent migration policies have resulted in “routine abuses”, arbitrary arrests and practices that are “destroying families”.
In a statement issued on Friday (23), Türk stated that he was “appalled” by what he classified as violent and illegal arrests carried out by US authorities, often based solely on the suspicion that individuals are undocumented immigrants. According to the high commissioner, inspection operations have taken place in sensitive locations, such as hospitals, churches, schools, courts and homes.
“Individuals are being surveilled and detained, sometimes violently, often just on the mere suspicion of being undocumented migrants,” he declared.
He also criticized what he called the “dehumanizing” representation of migrants and refugees that the UN says increases the group’s exposure to xenophobic hostility and abuse.
One of the cases mentioned occurred on Tuesday (20), in Minneapolis, when a five-year-old boy was detained along with his father by immigration agents. According to local educational authorities, the child had been used as “bait” to try to locate other immigrants in a residence. Both were taken to a detention center in Texas, according to the family’s attorney.
Disproportionate force
Türk also expressed concern about the use of what he considers unnecessary or disproportionate force during operations. He highlighted that, according to international law, the intentional use of lethal force is only permitted as a last resort, when there is an imminent threat to life.
The actions of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have intensified in recent months and mobilized thousands of federal agents for operations in large cities. Minneapolis has experienced a growing wave of protests since the death of Renee Good, shot by an immigration agent in January, an episode that sparked protests and criticism from local authorities.
Poster with photo of Renee Nicole Good held during protests asks: “Which of us will they kill next?” – Reuters/Tim Evans/Reproduction prohibited
Lack of legal assistance
Another point highlighted was the lack of timely access to legal assistance by detained people and the absence of individualized assessments in arrest and deportation processes. According to the UN, many actions do not consider the preservation of the family unit, which exposes children especially to serious and lasting risks.
The high commissioner also called for an independent and transparent investigation into the rise in the number of deaths in ICE custody. According to data cited by him, at least 30 deaths will be recorded in 2025 and another six this year.
“The United States has the right to define its immigration policies, but this must be done in full compliance with international law and due process,” Türk said. He called on Washington to end practices that, according to the UN, violate fundamental rights and erode public trust.
