Vance defends ICE tactics in Minnesota as backlash grows
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Jim Watson. Pool/Getty Images
Vice President JD Vance defended the administration's immigration operation in the Twin Cities amid growing public backlash over ICE's presence and tactics.
The big picture: Tensions in the Twin Cities increased even more yesterday when the Justice Department arrested civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and several other local activists for protesting a St. Paul church service over a pastor's ties to ICE.
- U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the arrests show that the government won't "tolerate attacks on places of worship," while Levy Armstrong's attorney called the move "political persecution" and a "farce."
What he's saying: Vance said the goal of his visit was to understand how to "tone down the temperature, a little bit, reduce the chaos" while allowing the federal government to continue enforcing immigration laws.
- He blamed a lack of cooperation from state and local officials and "a very few left-wing agitators" for making agents' jobs more difficult and letting things get "so out of hand."
Friction point: Critics argue that DHS' decision to deploy thousands of federal agents to the metro — vastly outnumbering local police — and agents' own conduct are driving the chaos.
- They point to aggressive tactics against demonstrators, including the use of chemical agents, and growing reports of racial profiling and lawful residents being swept up in the crackdown.
Vance said while he'd "love to send these guys home," the surge in federal agents is necessary to maintain order while other ICE officials conduct immigration enforcement.
- He suggested local officials and law enforcement could help things go more smoothly by sharing data that could help agents track down people with criminal records.
In response to questions, Vance said the administration takes allegations of racial profiling "very seriously" but dismissed media reports that have sparked outrage — such as this week's detention of a 5-year-old asylum seeker — as missing context or "at best partially true."
- He argued that agents are only using tear gas and other tactics when "violence is committed against officers."
Reality check: Many of DHS' own claims during the operation have been disputed by local officials, video footage and public records.
- Just yesterday, Minnesota prison leaders accused federal officials of repeatedly spreading misinformation about the state's role in turning over undocumented individuals in their custody.
- Wrongful detention petitions have also skyrocketed since the surge began.
Between the lines: Vance also claimed that Minneapolis their focus because it has "the highest concentration of people who have violated our immigration laws," even though data shows other states have far more undocumented residents.
Zoom out: Vance's visit came amid a decline in public support for the administration's immigration crackdown.
- A New York Times poll released Thursday found that 61% of voters — and 71% of independents — say ICE has "gone too far" with its tactics.
What's next: Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino said yesterday they're "not going to put a date or timeline" on scaling back the operation.