The Minnesota Star Tribune ran a striking front-page photograph showing two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers pinning a Minneapolis protester to the pavement while one officer directed a canister of pepper spray at the man’s face. The image, taken by Star Tribune photographer Richard Tsong-Taatarii, appeared above reporting that questioned ICE tactics and officer training during a major federal deployment.
Context
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has described the Minnesota deployment as involving "several thousand federal agents," calling it the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. The Star Tribune’s front-page coverage used photography and reporting to spotlight concerns about the scope and conduct of the response to local demonstrations.
Key Incidents Highlighted
Shooting of Renee Goodwas: Earlier this month, 37-year-old Renee Goodwas was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. A preliminary private autopsy reported she was struck at least three times. Federal officials have defended the agent’s actions as self-defense, saying the officer believed Goodwas attempted to strike him with her vehicle; footage has been cited that appears to show space between the car and the officer, raising questions that remain under scrutiny.
Detention of a Five-Year-Old and His Father: Federal agents detained a five-year-old boy and his father in the driveway of their Minneapolis home as the child returned from preschool. The family’s lawyer says the father and son presented themselves to border officers in December 2024 to apply for asylum; they are reportedly being held at an ICE facility in Texas. The Star Tribune ran a photograph of the boy, identified as Liam Conejo Ramos, under the headline "Children as young as 5 detained."
Allegations of Abuse and Racial Language: The paper also reported testimony from Nasra Ahmed, a 23-year-old U.S.-born Somali American who says she was forcibly arrested and detained by immigration officials for two days. Ahmed was interviewed with bandages covering scrapes on her forehead and alleges that agents used a racial slur during her arrest.
Reactions and Debate
The photograph and accompanying coverage have intensified debate over ICE tactics, officer training and the broader use of federal agents in local communities. President Donald Trump initially described Goodwas as a "professional agitator" who "ran over the ICE officer," but later acknowledged that video of the incident "can be viewed two ways." Local reporting, photography and social media circulation of images have driven national attention and calls for further investigation.
Photographer credit: Richard Tsong-Taatarii / The Star Tribune. This story was first circulated on Mediaite and builds on reporting by the Star Tribune.
The Star Tribune’s front-page combination of powerful photography and reporting underscores how images can shape public conversation about law enforcement tactics and civil liberties during high-profile federal operations.
