Bemidji ICE Operation Ends With Lake Rescue

BEMIDJI, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Federal immigration agents detained several people during a targeted operation Thursday.

One person ran into Lake Bemidji and swam about 100 yards from shore. Agents safely removed the person from the water.

The Bemidji Police Department said it received notice of the planned operation Thursday morning.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was searching for specific people in the Bemidji area.

Police Respond Near Lake Bemidji

Police received reports around 11:30 a.m. of several people running near the lake’s south side.

Officers responded after learning that one person had entered the water. ICE agents handled the water rescue and the arrests.

Police said ICE took several people of interest into custody. Officials did not release the total number detained.

No injuries were reported in the police statement. Authorities also did not identify the people taken into custody.

Bemidji police directed further questions to ICE. The federal agency had not released more details in the provided statement.

Families seeking custody information may use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.

Thursday’s action was the second reported ICE operation in Bemidji during recent months.

Federal agents detained workers at a Bemidji housing development site in June. City police were not notified before that operation.

Mayor Jorge Prince later confirmed the June enforcement action through social media.

Prince said the Bemidji Police Department did not coordinate with federal agents. He also said local officers did not participate.

The latest operation brought a larger police response because people were reportedly running from the area.

The person entering Lake Bemidji also created an immediate safety concern. ICE agents removed that person without a reported injury.

Officials have not released the reason each person was targeted. Their custody status also remained unclear from the available information.

ICE conducts civil immigration enforcement and other federal investigations. Local police can respond when public safety concerns arise.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.