A violent confrontation erupted in Minneapolis when three illegal immigrants allegedly attacked an ICE agent during a federal enforcement operation, leaving the agent hospitalized with serious injuries.
The incident occurred as ICE agents attempted to apprehend Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who had been previously arrested for driving without a license and giving false information to law enforcement. Despite these charges, he was released by local authorities before federal officials could assume custody. Sosa-Celis had first entered the U.S. in 2022 and was released into the interior under federal immigration policies.
As agents moved to arrest him, Sosa-Celis reportedly fled in a vehicle, crashing into a parked car before fleeing on foot. When one ICE agent caught up to him, a struggle ensued. Two other Venezuelan nationals—Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma—intervened, allegedly attacking the agent with a shovel and broom handle. Authorities say Sosa-Celis rejoined the assault, beating the agent with the same shovel.
Fearing for his life, the agent fired his weapon, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg. All three suspects then retreated into a nearby apartment and barricaded themselves inside before being taken into custody. The injured ICE agent was taken to the hospital and is recovering.
Ajorna and Hernandez-Ledezma had also crossed the U.S. border in 2023 and were released into the country under the administration’s immigration policies. Ajorna failed to appear for his immigration hearing and has been issued a final deportation order. Hernandez-Ledezma was previously deemed not a priority for deportation.
This attack comes amid rising tensions in Minneapolis, where recent ICE operations have sparked protests, vandalism, and clashes between activists and law enforcement. Calls to defund or dismantle ICE have intensified, while federal authorities insist they are targeting individuals with prior criminal records or deportation orders.
