ICE agents in Minnesota instructed to avoid confrontations with protesters after fatal shootings

Federal immigration agents in Minnesota have been given new internal orders to steer clear of protesters and “agitators” as part of a recalibrated enforcement strategy following two controversial shootings that have sparked outrage and legal scrutiny.

The guidance marks a shift in how US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carries out its operations in the state.

Under the revised instructions, officers are told to “DO NOT COMMUNICATE OR ENGAGE WITH AGITATORS. It serves no purpose other than inflaming the situation. No one is going to convince the other. The only communication should be the officers issuing commands,” according to an internal email reviewed by Reuters.

This new approach comes in the wake of two fatal shootings in Minneapolis this month involving federal agents during immigration enforcement activities. In both cases, ICE and Border Patrol officers shot and killed US citizens at protests that drew heavy criticism and intensified clashes between federal authorities and local communities.

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As part of the updated guidance, ICE will also narrow its enforcement focus to immigrants with criminal charges or convictions, rather than broad sweeps that have drawn legal challenges in Minneapolis and other cities. The aim is to move toward a more “targeted enforcement” strategy that concentrates on individuals with a clear criminal nexus.

President Donald Trump has publicly said he wants to “de‑escalate” tensions in Minnesota and nearby St. Paul, where protests have continued since the shootings. Yet video evidence and local accounts have undercut early federal claims that the deceased were aggressors, adding pressure on the administration to adjust its tactics.

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How will the new rule take effect?

To implement the new guidance, ICE officers will now be equipped with megaphones to clearly articulate each step during arrests and limit direct confrontation with crowds. Officials are also encouraged to use tools like license plate checks to locate individuals with criminal histories, with Border Patrol assigned a support role in the regional operation.

The change in orders also includes a leadership reshuffle, with border “czar” Tom Homan tasked with overseeing Minnesota operations, while Border Patrol commander‑at‑large Gregory Bovino—known for leading aggressive sweeps in several cities—has been demoted and is expected to retire soon.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has not immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment on the new directives.