MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A Minneapolis man and U.S. citizen says he was tackled, handcuffed, and detained by federal immigration officers in the city’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, despite repeatedly offering to show his identification. The incident, captured on video, has sparked community outrage and calls for accountability from local leaders and civil rights groups.
The Arrest and Public Outcry
The man, who identified himself only as Mubashir, shared his story during a December 9 news conference organized by the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN). He said federal officers chased him on foot, tackled him in the snow, and arrested him while he was walking to get food.
“I just felt targeted,” Mubashir said. “That shouldn’t happen to anyone. That’s not right.”
In the widely shared video, an officer is seen placing Mubashir in a chokehold before pushing him to the ground and handcuffing him. Witnesses can be heard shouting and blowing whistles as officers forced him into a vehicle.
Mubashir said he repeatedly told officers he was a U.S. citizen and asked to show his I.D., but they refused to look at it. Instead, agents took him to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling, where they took his fingerprints. Only after that did one officer allow him to show his identification — confirming his citizenship and resulting in his release.
“I deserve to be here like anyone else — I’m a U.S. citizen,” Mubashir said. “I can’t even step outside without being tackled because I’m Somali.”
Community Reaction and CAIR-MN Response
CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said Mubashir’s arrest was not an isolated incident. At least two other Somali U.S. citizens were reportedly detained by federal immigration officers the same day and later released.
“We believe this is a violation of our constitution,” Hussein said. “Our organization is considering legal action to address this abuse of power.”
Hussein linked the incidents to “Operation Metro Surge,” a recent federal enforcement campaign targeting the Somali community in the Twin Cities. He said CAIR-MN has received numerous calls from Somali residents claiming they were questioned or temporarily detained by federal agents despite being American citizens.
Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman condemned the arrest, calling it a “stark reminder of the overreach and lack of accountability in ICE operations.”
Broader Pattern of Detentions
Another recent case involved a Somali-American woman detained downtown last week while running errands. Her family told FOX9 that she was held in ICE custody for 24 hours, during which officers allegedly mocked her hijab and touched her inappropriately.
Similar reports surfaced of other Somali residents being stopped or questioned in Minneapolis by federal agents who demanded passports or immigration documents.
Community Mobilization
CAIR-MN has formed a legal and community response task force, partnering with local imams and activists to monitor ICE activity and assist those affected.
Imam Hassan Jama of the Al-Hikam Islamic Center, a task force member, urged unity and vigilance.
“We will organize more, put our hands and efforts together, and fight back,” Jama said, thanking the protesters who showed up during the Cedar-Riverside arrests.
Residents are encouraged to contact CAIR-MN at 612-206-3360 if questioned or detained by federal agents.
As of Tuesday, ICE has not publicly commented on the incident or confirmed details about its recent operations in Minneapolis.
Stay with HonkNews.com for ongoing coverage of this developing story and updates on the community’s response to the Cedar-Riverside immigration arrests.