By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
On Tuesday last week, there were several reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had taken an undocumented immigrant into custody in Northfield. Images shared on social media appeared to show several masked agents arresting one individual, while several bystanders filmed the scene. In one video, ICE agents appear to break the window of a vehicle, and several agents have guns drawn. WCCO-TV and Sahan Journal have confirmed the authenticity of pictures and videos of the event.
According to the Sahan Journal reporting, the individual taken into custody has lived in Minnesota for a decade with no work authorization or legal status and had no criminal record in Minnesota. A statement from ICE sent to Sahan Journal states that the individual had attempted to place the vehicle in drive while officers were in the way.
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In a statement on their Facebook page, Northfield Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer stated that ICE had not contacted the department before the incident. Furthermore, while Northfield Officers were called to the scene by bystanders, it is not a Northfield Police Department case or investigation. “The department was not involved in the contact or any related arrests and has not been provided details regarding the circumstances or reasons for ICE’s actions.”
The police chief noted that it is the policy of the Northfield Police Department not to participate in or assist with immigration enforcement actions and that they do not have the authority to interject themselves into a federal investigation.
Will be working in the coming days to gather and provide any additional as we have it, and will update you on-air and online.
Statements from Local Leaders:
Northfield Mayor Erica Zweifel:
I have viewed the video circulating showing federal agents detaining one of our neighbors in Northfield. These actions have traumatized the community and left a family without their father and husband. The City of Northfield values the safety and well-being of all residents. We value our local law enforcement officials. Our focus at the City level remains on fostering a safe, inclusive community for all residents, ensuring local law enforcement operates transparently and professionally, and providing support for families affected by incidents within our jurisdiction.
Because this is a Federal matter, the City has no authority to intervene in or direct ICE actions, and there are no local mechanisms to require identification or prevent the use of masks by Federal agents acting under Federal authority. Any questions regarding the procedures or accountability of ICE agents should be directed to the agency itself. To be clear, this is not a Northfield Police Department investigation, and the department had no role in the detention or any enforcement actions. Local law enforcement and city officials do not have authority over Federal investigations or the actions of Federal agents. I support the Northfield Police Department in fulfilling its duties responsibly and in accordance with the law.
That said, it would be irresponsible for us not to express some concern about the approach the current Federal administration is taking regarding the freedoms and civil rights that every resident of our community deserves. We fully acknowledge that we do not know the complete circumstances around the current issue at hand. However, we are fully committed to the U.S. Constitution and the laws of our land which include due process and protection under the Bill of Rights.
We call on our Federal leaders in Congress, in the White House and in the Supreme Court to uphold their oaths to the Constitution while ensuring that everyone on U.S. soil is afforded the human and civil rights that we would all want for ourselves.
Many residents have asked what they can do in the face of such uncertainty. I have reached out to Senator Tina Smith, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Representative Angie Craig to express my deep concern about how this incident unfolded in Northfield and the delay of information regarding this community member’s location, status, or charges. Issues of transparency, oversight, and communication fall squarely within federal authority, and I am urging our congressional delegation to seek answers on behalf of the community. I encourage residents to join me in sharing these concerns with their federal representatives.
In Northfield we will continue to support one another, stay in dialogue with our local police, and engage with our elected officials. The Community Action Center has established the Northfield Supporting Neighbors Fund, donations can be made at www.northfieldsupportingneighbors.org These funds are made available to families in need for legal assistance.
Together, we can stand with this family and uphold the values of care, dignity, and accountability that define Northfielders.
State Representative Kristi Pursell (DFL-Northfield)
Yesterday’s actions by federal law enforcement were unnecessarily extreme. The disappearing of one of our community’s valued Northfielders has left us scared and angry, but we are not deterred.
I’ve been in touch with his family, community groups, and local leaders to offer my support in any way I can as we respond to this unconstitutional act. Right now we are united as a community in grieving, but we will move forward together. We must continue to speak up and speak out against unconstitutional actions like these.
Correction: A previous version of this story mistated that the events happend on Wednesday, instead of Tueday, and has since been corrected.
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