The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Thursday that India is "closely monitoring" the situation following a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, USA, involving a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The government expressed significant concern given the substantial Indian diaspora residing in the United States.
MEA Voices Concern for Indian Diaspora
Addressing the media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the nation's apprehension. "We are closely monitoring the developments in and around Minneapolis shooting. We are concerned as we have a large Indian community in the US, including a large number of students. We also have a large number of professionals and many other people so it is a matter of concern," Jaiswal said. His remarks came a day after a woman was fatally shot in Minneapolis during what US authorities described as a major immigration enforcement operation.
Details of the Minneapolis Incident
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the incident, stating that ICE officers were conducting targeted operations on Wednesday when they were confronted. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that rioters began blocking officers and "one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them – an act of domestic terrorism."
According to the DHS account, an ICE officer, fearing for his life and the safety of fellow officers and the public, fired "defensive shots." The statement added, "He used his training and saved his own life and that of his fellow officers. The alleged perpetrator was hit and is deceased. The ICE officers who were hurt are expected to make full recoveries."
The US administration had deployed hundreds of agents in Minneapolis as part of its biggest crackdown in the city, linked to a recent welfare scam involving Somalis in Minnesota that drew official attention.
Local Backlash and Calls for ICE Withdrawal
The shooting triggered a strong reaction from local Minneapolis leadership. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey acknowledged the incident and called for federal immigration authorities to leave the city immediately. "The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city," Frey stated in a social media post. "We're demanding ICE to leave the city immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities."
Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said his office was working to gather information on the "ICE-related shooting." The event has underscored tensions around immigration enforcement actions and their impact on local communities, including the sizable Indian population in the area and across the United States.
