A federal immigration enforcement operation in Saint Paul, Minnesota, ended in chaos on Wednesday after a high-speed pursuit led to a multi-vehicle collision, injuring multiple people and reigniting debates over U.S. immigration policies. The incident occurred in the city’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood, where local authorities confirmed federal agents were pursuing a Honduran national who allegedly entered the U.S. illegally.
According to the Saint Paul Police Department, the driver of the targeted vehicle attempted to evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, resulting in a crash that damaged several cars and sent two individuals to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security official, stated the operation was part of routine enforcement efforts but acknowledged the driver’s "reckless actions" escalated risks to public safety.
Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her condemned the incident, linking it to the broader federal campaign dubbed "Operation Metro Surge." In a statement reported by Minnesota Public Radio, Her argued that ICE’s tactics are "creating chaos" and endangering residents, urging an immediate halt to the program. The crash has drawn attention to tensions between local governance and federal immigration strategies, with advocates calling for reforms to prioritize community safety.
