Native American legal rights group says man earlier detained by ICE is being retaliated against
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
A legal advocacy group said ICE is retaliating against a Native American man following an unlawful detention earlier this month.
20-year-old Jose Roberto Ramirez, a U.S. citizen and Red Lake Nation descendant, was dragged from his car and detained on January 8 in the parking lot of a Hy-Vee Grocery Store in Robbinsdale. Shawntia Sosa-Clara, Ramirez’s Aunt, captured the incident in a cell phone video widely shared on social media. Ramirez was taken to the Whipple Federal Building and was released later that day after his citizenship was confirmed.
In a news release late Monday, the Native American Rights Fund said ICE agents then went to Ramirez’s home on Friday “with their guns drawn, forcibly knocked on his door alleging to be police, and yelled for Jose to exit the home.” Before leaving, ICE agents unplugged a home security camera, according to the release.
ICE agents returned the next day on Saturday threatening to arrest him, the advocacy group said, eventually telling Ramirez by phone that ICE had obtained a warrant for his arrest under a federal law that bars people from resisting or impeding federal agents.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Ramirez, who is represented by a Twin Cities-based attorney, turned himself in on Monday, then was released, again, hours later.
The statement from the Native American Rights Fund stated that Ramirez “is innocent of the charge,” and “will continue to defend his rights in court.”
The Native American Rights Fund, a legal advocacy group, based in Boulder, Colorado is providing resources to Native Americans in Minnesota who have encountered ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge.
MPR News reached out to ICE for comment but has not received a response.
— Melissa Olson, MPR News
This story is part of our live coverage. Go to live updates.
