Democratic lawmakers passionately denounce ICEpublished at 17:59 GMT
Image source, Bloomberg via Getty Images
At a field hearing in Minneapolis today, Democratic lawmakers are condemning ICE operations in the state and delivering impassioned pleas for federal agents to leave.
“There is no modern precedent for this level of federal violence, overreach, lawlessness carried out in the name of immigration enforcement,” said Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American Democrat who Trump has frequently criticised.
“Where is our humanity?” asks Minnesota Rep. Kelly Morrison.
Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal said Minnesotans are being “subjected to the lawlessness and violence of ICE and border patrol agents” and that “this pattern of reckless, even lethal, use of force cannot continue”.
“This administration isn’t looking for criminals. They are looking for black and brown neighbors,” Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig said.
Craig adds that the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota amounts to “political retribution” against the Democrat-led state.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,
Mayor of Minneapolis Jacob Frey
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was one of the local officials who spoke at the hearing and has been especially vocal about the presence of ICE agents in the city.
Lawmakers are also stressing that protesters who have been “legally observing” federal officers are legally allowed to perform actions like honking, blowing whistles, and following federal cars.
Trump and members of his administration have said that protesters are illegally obstructing legitimate law enforcement operations.
