The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the deployment of “hundreds” of additional federal officers to Minnesota following widespread protests over the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration agent. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared the update during an interview aired Sunday on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures.
According to Noem, the reinforcements are being sent to enhance the security of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol personnel already operating in the state. She noted that around 2,000 federal officers have previously been deployed to the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, marking what DHS has described as its largest operation to date.
The decision comes amid nationwide demonstrations against the federal government’s deportation policies and the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE officer on Wednesday. More than 1,000 rallies took place across the country over the weekend, with tens of thousands of people marching through Minneapolis on Saturday.
Protests were also reported in cities including Chicago and Pittsburgh, while thousands marched peacefully in New York City on Sunday. Demonstrators gathered outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, blocking traffic and chanting slogans against former President Donald Trump, according to The New York Times.
Minnesota officials have described the shooting as unjustified, citing bystander video that allegedly shows Good’s vehicle turning away from the agent at the time shots were fired. However, Noem and other federal officials have defended the agent’s actions, claiming he acted in self-defense after Good allegedly drove toward him. Federal authorities also stated that Good had been involved in monitoring ICE operations earlier that day.
In a separate appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Noem said additional video footage exists showing Good protesting ICE activities earlier on Wednesday, though she did not confirm if it would be released publicly.
Minnesota authorities confirmed on Friday that they have launched an independent criminal investigation into the incident, amid reports that the FBI has declined to cooperate fully with state investigators. Meanwhile, White House Border Security Czar Tom Homan said he supports allowing the investigation to proceed, adding that he believes the officer perceived a threat to his life at the time of the shooting.
