Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the federal immigration officer involved in a deadly shooting in Minneapolis is protected by what he described as “absolute immunity,” igniting immediate backlash from civil rights groups, legal scholars, and local officials.
The shooting occurred during a federal immigration operation in south Minneapolis, where an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement fatally shot a woman after stopping a vehicle. The incident sparked protests across the city, with demonstrators demanding transparency, accountability, and an independent investigation into the agent’s actions.
Speaking to reporters, Vance argued that because the officer was acting in an official federal capacity, he is shielded from criminal or civil liability. The vice president’s use of the term “absolute immunity,” however, has drawn scrutiny, as legal experts note that federal officers typically receive qualified protections that depend on the circumstances surrounding the use of force.
Tensions escalated further after state officials confirmed that Minnesota authorities were removed from the investigation, leaving the case solely in federal hands. Local leaders have criticized the move, saying it undermines public trust and limits oversight in a case involving a civilian death.
The shooting has intensified a broader national debate over the role of federal immigration enforcement in local communities, the limits of executive authority, and whether existing accountability mechanisms are sufficient when federal agents use deadly force. Protests in Minneapolis continued into the evening as officials called for calm while demanding answers.
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Minnesota Seeks Answers After Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
