Angry Mob DRIVES Federal Agents From Scene

Federal immigration enforcement turned a quiet St. Paul neighborhood into chaos when an ICE pursuit ended in a multi-vehicle crash, sparking an angry mob that physically drove federal agents from the scene while local officials condemned the operation.

Story Snapshot

ICE agents pursued a suspect through residential St. Paul, resulting in a violent crash injuring the fleeing driver and damaging multiple bystander vehicles
A hostile crowd formed immediately, chanting “ICE out” and forcing federal agents to leave the scene before police arrived
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her demanded an end to “Operation Metro Surge,” calling ICE operations “reckless” and dangerous to residents
The incident highlights escalating tensions between federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary-leaning local governments

High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Residential Crash

ICE agents initiated a high-speed pursuit of a red sedan around 9:30 a.m. on February 11, 2026, through St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood. The fleeing vehicle ran a stop sign at Western and Selby Avenues, colliding with a turning car before spinning into a minivan. The sedan struck a snowbank, went airborne, and landed violently. The crash occurred near a cafe and school drop-off areas during morning hours, putting innocent residents at risk. St. Paul Fire medics transported the injured driver to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Angry Mob Confronts Federal Agents

Within minutes of the crash, a large crowd gathered at the scene, armed with whistles and cell phones. Protesters chanted “ICE out, ICE out” and hurled insults at federal agents while recording the aftermath. Eyewitnesses described the pursuit as “crazy fast” through residential streets. The crowd’s hostility intensified to the point that ICE agents departed before St. Paul police arrived to secure the scene. This immediate mobilization reflects a pattern during Operation Metro Surge, where community members routinely confront federal immigration enforcement with organized resistance.

Local Officials Challenge Federal Authority

Mayor Kaohly Her issued a sharp rebuke of ICE operations, stating “ICE is still present, causing chaos” and demanding Operation Metro Surge end immediately. She cited damage to bystander vehicles and risks to residents in what should be a quiet neighborhood. The mayor’s criticism escalates an ongoing conflict between St. Paul’s local government and federal immigration enforcement. St. Paul police responded to assist after the crash, securing the scene and filing a report, but the incident underscores the precarious position of local law enforcement caught between federal mandates and community opposition.

Operation Metro Surge Fuels Community Resistance

The crash occurred during Operation Metro Surge, an intensified ICE enforcement action targeting immigration violations across the Twin Cities. This operation has generated repeated confrontations, with crowds forming regularly during ICE actions. The mayor characterized this incident as “another” in a series putting residents at risk, suggesting a pattern of dangerous enforcement tactics. ICE and Homeland Security Investigations declined to comment despite media inquiries, leaving questions about the pursuit’s justification unanswered. The fleeing driver’s identity and the reason for the initial pursuit remain undisclosed, creating information gaps that fuel community distrust of federal operations.

Federal Enforcement Versus Local Sanctuary Policies

This incident exemplifies the broader clash between federal immigration enforcement and urban areas resistant to cooperation with ICE. St. Paul has demonstrated vocal opposition to federal immigration operations, with community members organizing to obstruct and document enforcement actions. The fact that a crowd could force federal agents to retreat highlights the challenges ICE faces in jurisdictions where local governments and residents actively resist. For conservatives who support lawful immigration enforcement, this incident raises concerns about mob rule undermining federal authority and the rule of law. The Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration law faces real-world obstacles when local officials provide political cover for resistance and federal agents cannot safely execute their duties. The injured driver’s status and any potential charges remain unclear as the investigation continues.