Minnesota Launches Probe Into Alleged Misconduct by Immigration Officers
State prosecutor announces investigation that could lead to charges against federal officers for use-of-force incidents during immigration enforcement crackdown.
The state of Minnesota has launched an investigation that may result in criminal charges being brought against U.S. immigration officers, including Greg Bovino, a border patrol official. The announcement was made by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty during a news conference on Monday.
Moriarty's office is already examining 17 cases, one of which involves Bovino allegedly throwing a smoke canister at protesters on January 21st. The prosecutor expressed confidence that her team will be able to pursue charges in these cases, which have led to criticisms of the use-of-force policies employed by federal immigration enforcement agencies.
The investigation comes amid growing concerns over the tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal immigration authorities during their operations. Critics have accused these agencies of employing excessive force and violating the rights of immigrants and their supporters.
