A video showing armed men identifying themselves as bounty hunters while detaining a Minneapolis resident has prompted an investigation by local authorities. Officials say it remains unclear whether the incident was connected to immigration enforcement operations occurring across Minnesota.
Despite national news moving on from Minnesota following the apparent conclusion of Metro Surge, many residents remain on edge as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations continue both in the Twin Cities and across greater Minnesota. The latest concern stems from reports that alleged “bounty hunters” were seen detaining a resident last week, an incident that has now prompted a city-led investigation.
On March 3, observers filmed what appeared to be multiple armed men removing a resident from his home near 28th Street and Oakland Avenue and loading him into a van marked “Midwest Plumbing.” The business name appears to be fictitious; the phone number associated with it has been disconnected.
In the video, the men identify themselves as “bounty hunters,” insisting they were “not ICE.” They also reportedly threatened bystanders, at one point pulling a pistol on observers who were recording the incident.
While there have been reports in several states of ICE contracting with bounty hunters, it remains unclear whether the March 3 incident was connected to an ICE operation…