January 1, College Blocks ICE, Protects Felon on Campus

Wyatt’s Take

• University leaders in Minneapolis tried to stop ICE from arresting a convicted illegal immigrant sex offender on campus.
• Federal officers faced pushback from campus officials, who said the arrest went against university policies.
• ICE made the arrest despite efforts by campus security to block law enforcement vehicles.

Augsburg University officials in Minneapolis stepped in to shield a sex offender who was living on campus illegally, pushing back against federal agents sent to arrest him. The officers arrived with a warrant, but university leadership and security tried to block them from taking action, according to Homeland Security.

Federal agents explained their authority to school staff, but campus security was ordered to stand in front of the law enforcement vehicle. DHS said officers used the minimum force needed to carry out the arrest.

Campus leaders instead complained, claiming “masked ICE agents” pointed guns at students and staff.

“They aimed weapons at witnesses that included staff and students while many more students watched from their windows,” an Augsburg spokesperson said. “These tactics, with the implicit threat of violence, are unacceptable, dangerous, and profoundly disturbing.”

After the incident, the university said their focus was on campus safety and well-being, calling the federal action unlike anything they’ve seen before.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed police received multiple 911 calls about “people with guns” on campus, but by the time they arrived federal agents had left. He noted that both citizens and longtime residents felt scared.

The city recently banned ICE from using city-owned lots. This comes after news that criminals funneled billions in welfare money through shell organizations, some reportedly linked to overseas terror groups.

When schools choose to stand in the way of law enforcement, it puts public safety and local values at risk.

Wyatt Matters

Folks in Middle America want law and order respected, not undermined by college leadership. We expect the people in charge to put community safety ahead of campus politics every time.

Full story here