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Montgomery County Councilmember Alleges ICE Agent “Grabbed” Her While Filming Arrest
Montgomery County, MD – A Montgomery County council member is speaking out after she claims a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent “grabbed” her while she attempted to record an apprehension on Monday. Councilmember Kristin Mink detailed the incident, which occurred in Prince George’s County, in a social media video posted Tuesday.
Mink stated she was actively looking for ICE activity in the area when she observed what appeared to be an arrest taking place in the parking lot of Tick Tock Liquors, just south of her council district. She immediately began recording the scene with her phone.
“I came around the corner and saw the vests and realized that I was witnessing what appeared to be an ICE arrest,” Mink told Bethesda Today.
According to Mink, ICE agents quickly noticed her filming and approached her, instructing her to leave the vicinity. In her video, an agent can be heard telling her, “You need to go,” and “Mind your own business,” while pointing at her phone.
The situation escalated when another individual, seen with a gun and a badge, reportedly approached Mink, reiterating, “You got to go.” The video then shows this individual allegedly grabbing Mink and pushing her in the opposite direction.
“Don’t touch me,” Mink is heard saying in the video, adding, “Don’t grab my phone.” She later clarified, “He grabbed my arm and he kind of pulled me and then reached for my phone, but I don’t believe he made contact with the phone. I yanked my hand back.”
Mink asserts that as an elected official, it is her responsibility to document immigration enforcement, something she has done previously. She also noted that the two men who approached her were reportedly involved in a separate immigration arrest she had filmed in the past.
The council member emphasized the importance of recording ICE arrests to raise awareness of “increased aggression” she believes is occurring nationwide. “[It is] important to raise awareness that we are seeing increased aggression, not just towards me but towards the public in general,” she stated.
“Clearly, they want to keep what they are doing in the shadows as much as is possible. I think that was evident from their reaction to me.”
An ICE spokesperson offered a different account, stating that agents acted after Mink ignored repeated requests to maintain a safe distance. They also confirmed the arrest of Bernabe Alexander Molina Sandoval, a migrant from El Salvador with prior convictions for aggravated DWI and multiple traffic violations, who was previously deported in 2009 and unlawfully re-entered the U.S.
“During the arrest, an individual identified as Miss Kristen Mink ignored officers’ repeated requests to maintain a safe distance, putting herself, the officers, and Molina at risk. Her reckless actions are unacceptable and dangerous,” the ICE statement read. The spokesperson added that ICE officers are seeing a “more than 1000% increase in assaults” while performing their duties, which they attribute to “irresponsible interference from bystanders.”
Mink has not yet filed a formal complaint but is considering all legal options. Councilmember Wanika Fisher, representing Prince George’s County, where the incident occurred, expressed her dismay.
“I am deeply concerned by Councilmember Kristin Mink’s troubling encounter with ICE agents while documenting an immigration arrest,” Fisher stated. “No public official-or resident-should face intimidation for exercising their rights.
Our community deserves clear standards for ICE conduct and real accountability for misconduct. I stand with Councilmember Mink and all residents in demanding respect and safety from every law enforcement agency.”