The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the deployment of hundreds of additional federal officers to following widespread protests over the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration agent in Minneapolis.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem disclosed the move during a television interview aired on Sunday, saying the reinforcements are intended to enhance the security of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol personnel already operating in the state. According to DHS, about 2,000 federal officers have so far been sent to the Minneapolis–St Paul area, marking what the department described as its largest operation to date.
The announcement came as protests continued across the country, with more than 1,000 rallies held nationwide over the weekend against the federal government’s immigration enforcement drive and the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE officer last Wednesday.
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Minneapolis saw the largest demonstration, with tens of thousands of people marching peacefully through the city. Smaller but significant protests were also reported in Chicago, Pittsburgh and other major cities.
In New York City, thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday, blocking traffic near Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue as they chanted anti-deportation slogans, according to media reports.
Minnesota officials have described the shooting of Ms Good as unjustified, citing bystander footage which they say shows her vehicle turning away from the officer at the time shots were fired.
Federal authorities, however, have defended the agent’s actions. Secretary Noem and other officials said the officer acted in self-defence, alleging that Ms Good drove her vehicle towards the agent after being instructed to exit the car. Ms Good was reportedly a volunteer with a community group that monitors ICE operations in Minneapolis.
In a separate television interview, Ms Noem said additional video footage showed Ms Good protesting ICE activities at other locations earlier that day, though she did not indicate whether the footage would be released publicly.
Minnesota authorities confirmed on Friday that they have launched an independent criminal investigation into the incident, amid claims that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has declined to cooperate fully with state investigators.
White House Border Security Adviser Tom Homan said he would allow the investigation to run its course but added that he believed the officer involved perceived his life to be in danger at the time of the shooting.
