ICE agents surround Chanhassen construction site amid subzero temps
Federal agents gathered outside a Twin Cities home construction site Saturday afternoon in an apparent immigration-related standoff with construction workers amid subzero temperatures.
WCCO's Frankie McLister reports several law enforcement members, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, were at the site in Chanhassen, where two workers were atop an aerial work platform.
"It was scary, it was really really scary," said Miranda, a community member at the scene. "I guess it was something you never think is going to happen."
Construction machinery was position to help them down, with one worker caving after nearly two hours. The other didn't come down until after agents left the scene around 12:45 p.m.
"They didn't show us any warrants," Miranda said. "We persisted and persisted and I guess they got cold and got out of here."
Once the federal agents left the area, a group stormed into the construction site to help the person down. Both men are being treated at an area hospital and are considered to be OK.
"I saw one gentleman laying down. I saw a bunch of masked people that were trying to get them down," said community member Alex Trevino. "
WCCO has reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to learn more about the operation.
Dozens of federal agents have been dispatched to the Twin Cities in recent weeks as part of what the U.S. Department of Homeland Security calls Operation Metro Surge.
Tricia McLaughlin, the department's assistant secretary, said in a news release Friday her agents have "arrested more than 400 illegal aliens including pedophiles, rapists, and violent thugs" since the operation began earlier this month.
Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman announced Friday he had witnessed the aftermath of an ICE raid at his neighborhood coffee shop in Brooklyn Park, Crumbs and Coffee.
"These are small business owners. Taxpayers. People who invested in our community, created jobs, and served their neighbors every day," Hoffman wrote. "This isn't right. And it's not who we should be targeting if we care about safe, strong communities."