ICE Handcuffs Two Unaccompanied Minors in Minnesota After Traffic Crash: ‘This Is Human Trafficking’

On January 21, 2026, federal immigration officers handcuffed and detained two unaccompanied minors in Minnesota as part of the stepped-up Operation Metro Surge enforcement operations that have swept the city in controversy.

Based on eyewitness reports and video footage, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stopped a silver SUV carrying two teenagers in the afternoon. One of them, a teenage boy, appeared frightened as officers took his photo, placed handcuffs on him, and escorted him to a federal vehicle. The other teen, a girl who was driving, tried to show her U.S. passport, but officers still handcuffed her.

Ben Hovland from MPR News documented the arrest. The video, which features a young girl crying as agents put her in a Border Protection vehicle, went viral on social media. In the video, a big crowd can be seen on the sidewalk. Some people chanted “ICE out!” while others pulled out their phones and started recording.

When the federal agents tried to leave, people in the crowd confronted them. Reportedly, two bystanders ended up getting arrested during a chaotic scene, with federal officers using pepper spray and tear gas. 

People React to Viral Video of Two Unaccompanied Minors Arrested in South Minneapolis

The video is gaining traction on social media platforms, including Reddit. One of the users straight-up commented, saying, “This is human trafficking disguised as national security.” While another user said, “How long until we hear stories about these wannabe cop losers molesting young children in their cars?”

A user mentioned, “Keep it on the front page. Keep up visibility. The nation needs to know what our tax money is supporting.” One more user stated, “Let’s not forget Congress gave these heinous human beings the right to strip search minors. Just WHY?? This is kidnapping and child trafficking!!!”

One user explained the situation, saying, “Remember, the unaccompanied minor was a female. The arresting ICE officer was a male. Also, the arresting ICE officer was likely a new ICE officer if he engaged in this behavior. New ICE officers are also HIGHLY likely to be Proud Boys or neonazis.”

Related: Border Patrol Agents Take the Life of Another Unarmed Resident In Minneapolis, “Minnesota Has Had It. This Is Sickening,” Says Walz

Lately, Minnesota has been at the center of a big federal immigration crackdown. Thousands of agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Border Patrol, and other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) teams have swarmed the area as part of Operation Metro Surge, a Trump administration effort to go after people living in the U.S. without permission and other immigration offenders.