ICE Officers Injured After Violent Encounter with Cuban Migrant in St. Paul
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A tense and violent confrontation unfolded on Sunday when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempted to arrest Juan Carlos Rodrigues Romero, a Cuban migrant who entered the United States through the Biden administration’s CBP One app in 2024. The incident, which left two ICE officers hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, began near Westminster Street when agents tried to stop Romero’s white SUV for a lawful traffic stop.
According to officials, Romero refused to comply with orders to roll down his window, prompting warnings from officers that they would break the glass if he continued to disobey. Instead of cooperating, Romero accelerated away, striking one of the officers in the process. ICE officers pursued him until he pulled into a parking lot near his residence, where he collided with two parked vehicles.
When officers again ordered Romero to exit the vehicle, he allegedly rammed an ICE unit and struck another agent. In response, one officer fired two warning shots from his service weapon, though no one was hit. Romero then drove to the front entrance of his apartment complex, where he rammed yet another ICE vehicle before attempting to flee on foot.
Officers quickly apprehended Romero after a brief chase. During the arrest, he violently resisted and bit one of the agents. Ultimately, he was subdued and placed in handcuffs. Both injured officers were transported to a hospital for evaluation, and Romero was also taken to a medical facility.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by federal immigration enforcement agents, particularly in cities like St. Paul where local authorities have expressed opposition to aggressive immigration crackdowns. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency continues to enforce federal immigration laws despite such opposition.
Romero’s entry into the U.S. via the CBP One app has drawn attention amid recent policy shifts. The app, introduced during the Biden administration, was designed to streamline legal entry appointments but has since been reprogrammed to encourage self-deportation, according to recent reports.
The Department of Homeland Security has emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order during immigration enforcement operations, particularly as violent resistance against agents has increased in some jurisdictions.
Incidents involving migrants ramming law enforcement vehicles and physically assaulting officers have raised concerns among officials and immigration advocates alike. The Enforcement and Removal Operations unit of ICE has been at the forefront of these challenging arrests, often involving individuals with complex legal and humanitarian considerations.
As the Biden administration faces criticism over immigration policies and enforcement strategies, this latest episode in St. Paul underscores the volatile nature of immigration enforcement on the ground. Both federal agents and migrants are navigating a fraught landscape shaped by evolving regulations, local political climates, and broader national debates on immigration reform.
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