ICE Detains U.S. Citizen After She Questions Agents During Minneapolis Raid
Minneapolis — A 55-year-old U.S. citizen was detained for several hours by federal immigration agents this week after observing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in north Minneapolis, an incident that has drawn scrutiny from local officials and civil liberties advocates.
The woman, Susan “Sue” Tincher, went to the 2100 block of Oliver Avenue North early Monday morning after receiving neighborhood alerts about federal agents operating in the area. According to Tincher and local reporting, she stood across the street on a public sidewalk and asked officers if they were with ICE.
Video from the scene shows several agents taking Tincher to the ground, handcuffing her, and placing her in custody. She was transported to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling, where she was held for approximately four to five hours before being released.
Tincher said her wedding ring was cut off due to tight handcuffs and that she was restrained with leg shackles while detained. No criminal charges had been filed against her as of Thursday, according to multiple outlets.
The Department of Homeland Security offered a different account, stating that Tincher ignored lawful commands, breached a safety perimeter, and assaulted a federal agent during what DHS described as “Operation Metro Surge,” an enforcement effort targeting individuals with serious criminal records. DHS officials said her detention was necessary to maintain officer safety.
Tincher disputes those claims, saying she did not assault anyone and was exercising her right to observe law enforcement activity from a public space. Immigration attorneys and civil rights advocates have raised concerns about the detention, noting that observing and documenting law enforcement actions from public areas is generally protected under the First Amendment.
The incident has sparked renewed debate in Minnesota over transparency and accountability during federal immigration operations, particularly as enforcement activity increases nationwide. Local officials have called for further review of the incident, while federal authorities have defended the actions of agents involved.
As of the latest reports, no charges have been announced, and no disciplinary action against the agents has been disclosed.
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