The government of Ecuador says a federal immigration agent tried to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Northeast Minneapolis before being turned away on Tuesday morning.
According to the statement and video, an employee is seen running to lock the door and saying, “This is the Ecuadorian consulate. You’re not allowed to enter.”
“Consulate officials immediately prevented the ICE officer from entering the consular building, thus ensuring the protection of the Ecuadorians who were present at the time and activating the emergency protocols issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility,” the ministry wrote on X.
International law prohibits entry without permission unless there is a threat of imminent life-threatening emergencies.
Ecuador's president is an ally of President Donald Trump who has authorized the ongoing immigration crackdown in Minnesota, but his county has filed an official complaint about the action. A “note of protest” was filed with the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador so that similar attempts aren’t made at other consulates, the ministry said.
The State Department, Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to requests for comment.