US reports growing concerns over use of ICE agents to handle protests

Officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deployed to Minneapolis have drawn criticism for using forceful crowd-control methods during protests following the fatal shooting of a woman by an agent last week, raising questions about whether they are adequately trained for public-order policing, the Associated Press reported.

Videos and eyewitness accounts document agents pointing rifles at demonstrators, using chemical irritants early in confrontations, breaking vehicle windows, removing people from cars, and pushing protesters to the ground. Some former U.S. officials interviewed by the Associated Press contend these tactics do not reduce violence but instead increase public anger and lead to further demonstrations.

Criminal justice experts note that most crowd-control training occurs within local police departments with specialized public-order units, and typical ICE agents likely lack extensive experience managing large demonstrations. Many of the more than 2,000 Department of Homeland Security personnel deployed to Minneapolis usually deal with arrests, deportations and criminal investigations rather than crowd management.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota has filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to limit federal agents’ actions during demonstrations. The suit requests restrictions on chemical agents, pointing firearms at non-threatening individuals and interfering with people recording events.

Experts also point out that, unlike local police departments, which often have long-term relationships with their communities, federal immigration officers typically lack these community ties that can help reduce tensions during protests.