Two federal immigration agents are under investigation following allegations they provided untruthful testimony regarding a shooting incident in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on . The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on , that both agents have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a thorough internal investigation and a criminal probe by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The allegations center around the shooting of a Venezuelan migrant, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, during what was initially described as a “targeted traffic stop.” DHS initially stated the officer fired a shot to “save his life” after being “ambushed and attacked” by three immigrants wielding a snow shovel and a broom handle. However, a joint review by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) of video evidence has cast doubt on this initial account.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated, “Today, a joint review by ICE and the Department of Justice of video evidence has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements.” He emphasized that lying under oath is a serious federal offense and that the agency is committed to upholding the rule of law, professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct. “Violations of this sacred sworn oath will not be tolerated,” Lyons added.
This development comes shortly after the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Daniel Rosen, moved to dismiss charges against two men, including Sosa-Celis, citing “newly discovered evidence” that was “materially inconsistent” with the original allegations and preliminary hearing testimony. The specific nature of this new evidence remains unclear.
The case has drawn scrutiny due to conflicting accounts and questions surrounding the initial narrative presented by law enforcement. Indriany Mendoza Camacho, Sosa-Celis’s partner, told Minnesota Public Radio that she witnessed the incident and that Sosa-Celis was attempting to de-escalate the situation and separate the agent from another Venezuelan man, rather than initiating an attack. She stated, “I’m a witness, I saw everything, and my partner never grabbed anything to hit him or anything like that.”
The shooting occurred during “Operation Metro Surge,” a large-scale immigration enforcement operation that brought approximately 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota beginning in December. The Trump administration announced on , that it was ending the operation, which resulted in over 4,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants. Tragically, the operation was also linked to the deaths of two U.S. Citizens, Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, both of whom were shot by federal agents.
A preliminary internal review by Customs and Border Protection into the shooting death of Alex Pretti also reportedly contradicted the Trump administration’s initial account of that incident. This pattern of discrepancies between initial statements and subsequent investigations raises concerns about transparency and accountability within federal immigration enforcement agencies.
The investigations into both shootings are ongoing. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the agents involved, potentially leading to criminal charges, disciplinary action, or changes in agency protocols. The DHS spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, did not respond to questions regarding whether the agency still stands by its initial description of the Sosa-Celis shooting as an act of self-defense.
This case underscores the complexities and potential for missteps in immigration enforcement operations. The importance of accurate and transparent investigations, as well as adherence to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct, is paramount to maintaining public trust and ensuring the fair and just application of the law.
