An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in St. Paul resulted in the arrest of an illegal alien. That revelation, made by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson, sheds new light on the chaotic scene that unfolded yesterday in St. Paul.
On Tuesday, news of a federal operation occurring in Minnesota’s capital city quickly began to spread. Videos and photos from that event show law enforcement outside a house in St. Paul as protestors shout, denounce law enforcement, and create a scene.
SUBMITTED: Protesters clashed with federal agents earlier today in St. Paul.
Someone who lives in the area told Alpha News there was some type of federal action "on Rose Ave. between Edgerton and Payne Aves., St. Paul. Pop up protest that [had] grown from a couple dozen around… pic.twitter.com/FTpbNejLBF
— Alpha News (@AlphaNews) November 25, 2025
The situation eventually became so unruly that mace was used on several protesters. Now, federal authorities have confirmed that what took place Tuesday was an ICE operation.
“On November 25, ICE arrested Victor Molina Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, who was previously removed from the country,” said a DHS spokesperson. “This criminal’s rap sheet includes domestic abuse and disorderly conduct. He chose to commit a felony by illegally re-entering the U.S.”
Describing the events in St. Paul, the spokesperson said “rioters showed up” on the scene, ignored commands from law enforcement, and “advanced on law enforcement.” One U.S. citizen even “weaponized their vehicle and rammed an ICE law enforcement vehicle.”
That person fled but was later arrested.
Pastor speaks out on ‘agitators’ who showed up in St. Paul
One of the people on the scene was Chris Monson, the pastor of East Immanuel Church in St. Paul. Monson, whose church is just three houses down from where the ICE operation took place, was disgusted by what he saw from the protestors.
“The protest was partly on our property,” Monson said. “I saw and heard many threats, names being called, vulgarity used, and rocks and water bottles thrown at the police [that day]. That was not a peaceful protest; that was an organized mob set on causing chaos.”
Monson, who has led East Immanuel Church for 18 years and serves as a police chaplain, said protestors used vile words, issued threats, and were antagonistic to the officers that were there. The pastor said some of the protestors’ threats were even directed at him and his church.
🚨 BREAKING: Protesters in St. Paul, Minnesota were seen throwing objects at federal agents this morning during what is being reported as an ICE raid.@POTUS, it’s time to send in the National Guard to protect ICE during these operations. It is not safe otherwise. pic.twitter.com/5vONNIvxti
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) November 25, 2025
Recounting what happened, Monson referred to the gathered crowd as “agitators” and said a couple hundred people were on the scene. According to Monson, one woman ripped down yellow police tape and several young men threw rocks and bottles at one point.
“Law Enforcement handled themselves tremendously well and professionally and showed amazing restraint,” he said. “When they used mace, they gave several warnings and asked the rioters to move. Everyone had ample time to remove themselves from the scene.”
Monson told Alpha News that he offered encouragement to law enforcement during the operation.
St. Paul police chief encourages residents to monitor similar operations
After the operation was complete, the St. Paul Police Department issued a statement which said their officers provided crowd control at the location so that “protestors could express their First Amendment rights and federal agents could complete their legal objectives.”
In a video message, St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry himself said St. Paul officers did not help with federal immigration enforcement. The police chief referenced a city ordinance which prevents police from assisting with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Shockingly, Henry used his video statement to encourage residents to show up at similar federal operations and monitor what goes on there.
Henry said, “To be very clear, the St. Paul Police Department is committed to supporting people’s First Amendment rights, and we also encourage our residents to monitor these events — whether you want to come and watch, or you want to videotape them for yourselves to ensure that everything is happening in a lawful fashion.”
Alpha News reached out to the St. Paul Police Department to ask why the police chief was encouraging residents to show up at similar operations. Additionally, the department was asked if Henry is concerned his words will endanger federal law enforcement agents.
However, the St. Paul Police Department did not immediately respond to a media inquiry.
In the statement about Tuesday’s events, the DHS spokesperson discussed officer safety, saying “Our officers are facing a 1,150% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, abusers, and gang members.”
“Secretary Noem’s message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down,” added the spokesperson. “ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
