ICE raid in St. Paul: What we know so far
St. Paul ICE raid: Leaders speak out against violence
St. Paul City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim and Mayor-elect Kaohly Her spoke at a press conference and vigil on Wednesday in response to an ICE raid at a St. Paul business, where community members were met with violence from federal agents.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Tensions ran high on Tuesday in St. Paul following an ICE raid that resulted in clashes with protesters.
Federal raid at St. Paul business
ICE raid in St. Paul: What we know so far
ICE and other federal agencies conducted a search warrant at Bro Tex in St. Paul as part of a criminal investigation. The agency stated there was no threat to public safety and the investigation is ongoing. Protesters were present when immigration agents arrived at the business, having been tipped off about the raid. Demonstrators clashed with agents, who used chemical spray to disperse the crowd.
What we know:
ICE and other federal agencies conducted a search warrant Tuesday morning at Bro Tex in St. Paul as part of a criminal investigation. The agency stated there was no threat to public safety and the investigation is ongoing.
Protesters were present when immigration agents arrived at the business, having been tipped off about the raid. Demonstrators clashed with agents, who used chemical spray to disperse the crowd.
ICE responds
DHS statement:
The Department of Homeland Security released the following statement on the raid:
"On November 18 in St. Paul, ICE HSI and law enforcement partners executed a federal search warrant. ICE arrested 14 illegal aliens on immigration violations, including an individual with past domestic abuse charges and an illegal alien who committed a felony by illegally re-entering the U.S.
"Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to protect public safety, national security, and economic stability while rescuing individuals who may be victims of labor trafficking or exploitation. These operations target illegal employment networks that undermine American workers, destabilize labor markets, and threaten American communities. At a recent worksite operation at a marijuana facility in California, law enforcement rescued 14 children from potential forced labor, exploitation, and trafficking. Authorities also detained multiple criminal illegal aliens including a pedophile.
"Additionally, the employment of illegal aliens also incentivizes dangerous and illegal practices, including social security fraud. As we saw during a recent worksite operation in Nebraska, many illegal aliens use stolen social security numbers and identities to unlawfully obtain wages, health benefits and employment authorization. Behind every stolen social security number uncovered in these operations is a real American—mothers, fathers, students, and disabled workers—now facing devastating financial, emotional, and legal fallout."
Mayor's response and community frustration
Federal agents clash with protesters at St. Paul business
Community members and protesters in St. Paul were injured Tuesday after federal agents performed a mobilized operation at a business Tuesday morning. It prompted responses from several city leaders, including Mayor Melvin Carter and Ward 4 Council Member Molly Coleman.
What they're saying:
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter was on the scene and reported that federal agents used tear gas on some protesters, resulting in injuries.
"I saw a number of people flushing out their eyes because a number of them had been tear-gassed by the federal folks," said Carter.
In a statement on Tuesday, Carter said, "Though we don't have many details right now, I share the concern and fear this raises for our workers, families and entire community. Remember you have rights."
The City of St. Paul has immigration resources available on its website.
Vigil held Wednesday morning, officials call for better communication
An ICE raid in St. Paul on Nov. 18, 2025, led to clashes with protesters. This was captured by Pioneer Press reporter Frederick Melo and shared on social media. (Frederick Melo/Pioneer Press)
Local perspective:
The lack of information from ICE regarding the number of arrests and the reasons behind them is causing frustration within the community.
Leaders and community members gathered Wednesday morning at a press conference and vigil to condemn the recent violence, claiming federal agents assaulted people exercising their constitutional rights.
According to St. Paul City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim, immigrant workers were removed from their jobs on Tuesday and placed into unmarked vans. When community members started documenting the incident, Kim said they were met with violence.
"Federal agents use chemical irritants, physical force, even their vehicles against our community members just utilizing their rights. Concerned and caring residents were shoved, thrown to the ground. One observer's foot was run over. This is not safety. This is not law enforcement. This is state violence," said Kim at the press conference.
Mayor-elect Kaohly Her said the federal agents were wearing gear labeled as "police" and this practice "creates confusion, undermines trust, and raises fundamental questions about who those officers really are."
Her added, "Any federal agent operating in our city should be clearly identified both by name and agency. Misusing the police label is misleading and unacceptable."
The mayor-elect stressed the need for better communication from federal agencies. "We need clear, timely information from federal agencies so that the panic doesn't take over and rumors don't spread. When communities are kept in the dark, fear fills the gaps and the uncertainty ripples across our city."