Federal restaurant raid draws protests, demands

Days after a large-scale federal raid at a Lake Street restaurant sparked protests and fear of immigration enforcement, questions remain about the nature of the operation and the role of local law enforcement.

On June 3, multiple federal agencies executed a search warrant at Taqueria y Birrieria Las Cuatro Milpas, located in the heart of Minneapolis’s Mexican business district. Community members described what appeared to be an “ICE raid,” prompting a swift response from protesters who confronted law enforcement on the scene.

Video posted on social media showed agents and officers — some wearing masks and lacking clear identification — pushing protesters aside as an unmarked van with darkened windows departed the area. Some protesters threw objects in the vehicle’s path. Law enforcement deployed chemical irritants, pepper balls, and Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), a sound-based crowd-control technology, to disperse the crowd.

The strong federal presence, including agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and local law enforcement, fueled fears that immigration enforcement was underway.

In a press conference the following day, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt said “What’s important for people to know is that yesterday’s incident was one of 8 search warrants for a transnational criminal organization.” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that agencies from across the country were brought in to execute the warrants for suspected drug and human trafficking. The Lake Street location was the only enforcement site within Minneapolis.

 “I did the best to learn what was happening and to get accurate information,” said O’Hara. “There was a number of law enforcement agencies involved. And it was a task force, and I didn’t even know that task force was operating. I knew a Federal criminal search warrant was happening, but I didn’t know exactly what.” 

Still, community members said the presence of ICE and HSI agents — along with the use of military-style tactics — was traumatizing and raised concerns about civil rights and due process.

“I had several questions — questions that a whole lot of members of our community had,” Mayor Jacob Frey said during the press conference. “Is this federal action focused on immigration enforcement? The answer is no. Is our Minneapolis Police Department involved in it? The answer is also no.”

However, protesters reported seeing ICE and HSI agents on site. HSI is a division of ICE, tasked with investigating transnational crimes such as money laundering, cybercrime, and narcotics trafficking, among others.

Chief O’Hara said he was initially unaware of the task force’s specific activities and later added that MPD officers responded only after the raid, when protesters allegedly attacked a resident’s vehicle. 

“The police had to respond later in the day because some protesters that were remaining had surrounded a resident’s vehicle and were damaging the vehicle, refusing to let them go,” he said.

However, livestream video of the incident shared on Facebook appeared to contradict parts of the official account. Protesters claimed the driver had struck a woman directing traffic and drove off. They reportedly deflated the vehicle’s tires and awaited police intervention. These details were not included in O’Hara’s statement.

The disconnect between community accounts and city officials’ statements has deepened mistrust in the wake of the operation.

Two days later, community members held a press conference outside City Hall, joined by several Minneapolis City Council members. Speakers demanded transparency, accountability, and a reaffirmation of Minneapolis’ status as a sanctuary city.

Rachel Dione Thunder of the Indigenous Protectors Movement outlined the coalition’s three key demands:

1. A full public investigation into the roles of the Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County during the June 3 operation, including the release of any communications or agreements with federal agencies.
2. An immediate city resolution reaffirming sanctuary city policies and stricter enforcement of non-cooperation policies across departments.
3. A public apology and direct engagement with affected community members and businesses, along with an end to MPD’s participation in joint operations involving ICE or HSI.

In response, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously (12–0) to initiate an audit of the MPD’s involvement. The city auditor will review whether the department violated Minneapolis’s separation ordinance, which prohibits local law enforcement from assisting ICE with immigration enforcement.

As investigations unfold, advocates are urging city leaders to ensure transparency, rebuild trust, and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Chris Juhn is a contributing writer and freelance photographer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.