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By Adeola Adeosun

Weekend Night Editor

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A United States citizen was detained at gunpoint by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in St. Peter, Minnesota, on Thursday after she recorded federal immigration enforcement operations from her vehicle. The woman, who asked MPR News not to be identified for safety reasons, was tracking and filming agents' movements when three vehicles began pursuing her.

Video shared with MPR News shows agents boxing in her SUV before three officers exit with drawn weapons, screaming, "Get out of the car!" repeatedly. When the woman refused and asked observers on speaker phone to call 911, agents opened her unlocked door, dragged her from the vehicle, and forced her to the ground, leaving her with cuts, scrapes and bruises.

A DHS spokesperson told Newsweek on Saturday that officers were conducting a targeted operation to arrest "a serial criminal illegal alien" when "an agitator began stalking and obstructing law enforcement." The spokesperson said the woman drove recklessly, ran stop signs, nearly collided with multiple vehicles, and drove at officers "in an attempt to ram their vehicle," adding that "obstructing law enforcement is a felony and a federal crime."

St. Peter Police Chief Matt Grochow reportedly intervened to prevent the woman from being transported to the federal detention facility near Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, according to MPR News. However, the city of St. Peter issued a statement Saturday denying the chief intervened, saying he merely "ensured the resident was safely transported home" after federal authorities dropped her off at the police department.

Newsweek reached out to the St. Peter Police Department via email on Saturday for comment.

Why It Matters

The incident marks what's believed to be the first time a local Minnesota police department has become involved in federal immigration enforcement since the surge of ICE and CBP agents to the state began two months ago.

The video comes amid heightened tensions over federal agents' tactics following recent fatal shootings of civilians during immigration and border control operations, including Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis earlier this month.

The conflicting narratives—with DHS describing the woman as driving recklessly while her video shows her calmly refusing commands—highlight broader tensions between federal enforcement and community oversight as immigration operations intensify across the country.

What To Know

The woman told MPR News she was alone in her car using a dash cam to track federal agents' movements when the pursuit began. After agents detained her, they placed her in one of their vehicles and began driving toward the Twin Cities.

About 20 minutes into the drive, the woman said one agent received a call from what appeared to be an ICE supervisor. Within 30 seconds, the agents exited the highway, turned around and headed back to St. Peter without explanation.

The woman's husband, who arrived during the detention and recorded part of the interaction, told agents they couldn't search her vehicle without a warrant. One agent responded tersely, "I'm not getting into the legality of everything," MPR News reported.

Grochow intervened to prevent the woman from being transported to the federal detention facility near Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, according to MPR News. The agents released her to Grochow who drove her home. However, the city of St. Peter issued a statement Saturday denying the chief intervened, saying he merely "ensured the resident was safely transported home" after federal authorities dropped her off at the police department.

The husband called his attorney after his wife's detention, then received a call from Grochow whom he has known for years. According to the husband, he urged the chief to increase local police visibility during federal operations. During their conversation, the chief asked for his wife's name and vehicle description, then called back minutes later saying, "I got her" or "I'm bringing her home."

Grochow confirmed to MPR News that "ICE returned the female to our police department, I saw her, and I gave her a ride home." The chief did not respond to follow-up questions Friday.

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What People Are Saying

The city of St. Peter's statement on Saturday: "The Saint Peter Police Department was contacted regarding a resident who had an interaction with federal immigration authorities. The Saint Peter Police Department did not participate in, coordinate with, or intervene in any federal enforcement activity related to this incident."

"Shortly after the call was received, federal immigration authorities dropped the individual off at the Police Department. Police Chief Grochow then ensured the resident was safely transported home and offered assistance, as we would for any member of our community who experiences distress or needs support."

"The Saint Peter Police Department is committed to treating all residents with dignity and respect and to providing assistance when requested or needed in our community. This statement is intended to clarify the City’s role in this matter. No further information is available at this time."

A DHS spokesperson told Newsweek on Saturday: "While law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation to arrest a serial criminal illegal alien whose rap sheet includes multiple arrests for assault, domestic violence, and driving under the influence, an agitator began stalking and obstructing law enforcement."

"Our officers attempted to pull her over using their emergency lights to issue her a warning. Ignoring law enforcement commands, the agitator refused to pull over and began driving recklessly including running stop signs, nearly colliding with multiple vehicles, and driving directly at law enforcement in an attempt to ram their vehicle. Her actions endangered law enforcement officers, the public, and allowed this violent criminal to remain at large. Our officers arrested her. Obstructing law enforcement is a felony and a federal crime."

Representative Ted Lieu, a California Democrat, wrote on X: "Dear @DHSgov: What was the basis for drawing guns on this American and for arresting her? Why did agents then later release her without charges?"