Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has ignited a firestorm after warning his officers they could be fired if they fail to step in against what he calls “unlawful” or “excessive” force by federal immigration agents, a threat that puts the city on a collision course with ICE.
“If unlawful force is being used by any law enforcement officer against any person in this city and one of our officers is there, absolutely, I expect them to intervene, or they’ll be fired,” O’Hara said at a press conference. He tied the directive to the fallout from George Floyd’s death, saying, “We’re not going to repeat that mistake with any agency federal or otherwise.”
The order arrives as ICE increases operations around Minneapolis, especially near Karmel Mall, a major Somali community hub. Witnesses say federal agents have been conducting surveillance and detaining people, with videos circulating online fueling outrage among activists and watchdog groups.
O’Hara’s stance has triggered a sharp backlash from critics who argue he is undermining federal authority. A viral post summed up the pushback: “Unlawful? Like these illegal invaders trying to claim residence in our country?”
The Department of Homeland Security fired back as well. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin asked, “Does Chief O’Hara want his officers to intervene as our law enforcement arrests the convicted murderers, rapists, and gang members responsible for violence in American communities?” The remark highlights the widening divide between local officials and federal immigration enforcement.
Legal questions are now piling up; federal law prohibits obstructing ICE operations, and Minneapolis’ own manuals instruct officers not to interfere. O’Hara’s directive could put local police in the dangerous position of choosing between city orders and federal law — a gamble that may expose officers to legal or even criminal liability.
Still, O’Hara doubled down. “Our officers here have a duty to intervene… not just from law enforcement, from our own agency,” he said, framing the policy as part of broader police accountability efforts.
Activists remain skeptical. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Miri Villerius, reflecting doubts about whether Minneapolis police will actually step between ICE agents and detainees. The directive comes as immigrant communities report rising fear over nighttime raids, masked agents, and aggressive tactics they say resemble kidnappings. O’Hara has even urged residents to call 911 if they suspect a federal agent is impersonating a local law enforcement officer.
That kind of messaging has blurred the lines further. Critics say it stokes distrust, discourages cooperation with federal agents, and fuels confusion over the legitimacy of immigration enforcement. ICE often operates with administrative warrants, not judicial ones, creating additional friction over when and how local police get involved.
Minneapolis is a sanctuary city, but O’Hara’s policy goes beyond non-cooperation. By threatening disciplinary action, he sets up potential direct confrontations with federal officers. No officers have been punished under the directive yet, but legal experts caution that any physical interference with ICE could spark immediate court challenges.
With tensions rising, the city now sits at the forefront of a national fight over sanctuary policies, policing authority, and federal supremacy. Whether O’Hara’s approach holds or collapses under legal scrutiny may determine how far cities can go in resisting federal immigration enforcement.
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