Federal authorities are defending their actions in Minnesota during and Homeland Security’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations.
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino explains how stops are determined.
"They're not random nd they are not political. They are about removing criminals who are actively harming Minneapolis neighborhoods," Bovino said at a press conference Tuesday.
The response from Bovino comes amid high tensions and multiple lawsuits over the immigration enforcement surge and the actions of agents, which many report have been aggressive and insulting.
"Our officers remain professional, focused, courteous, and committed to the mission," Bovino added.
Those claims have been widely disputed, with videos circulating that show actions that are a far-cry from 'courteous', and those actions are also getting criticism from local law enforcement.
Some local law enforcement officials claimed Tuesday agents were racially profiling in their stops, and even targeting their officers in at least one case.
Homeland Security has said roughly 3,000 people have arrested during “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota since it began early last month, with Bovino on Tuesday naming a few that have been taken into custody with serious criminal allegations against them.
"Officers have been violently and aggressively assaulted, objects have been thrown, and vehicles damaged," Bovino noted, with one of those leading to an agent shooting a man in the leg after they were attacked with shovels and brooms during an operation in North Minneapolis.