Obama Denounces ICE’s Heartless Tactics in Minneapolis: ‘Tearing Families Apart, Using Children as Bait’

Former President Barack Obama recently voiced his support for demonstrators in Minneapolis protesting the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), describing the agency’s operations as “unprecedented.” In a conversation with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen on February 14, Obama underscored the essential role of American citizens in influencing societal change. He expressed belief that public sentiment largely opposes ICE’s tactics, saying, “The reason I point out that I don’t think the majority of the American people approve of this is because ultimately, the answer is going to come from the American people. We just saw this in Minnesota, in Minneapolis.”

Obama criticized the federal agents’ tactics employed during ICE operations, highlighting instances where children were allegedly used to manipulate parents. He condemned the use of tear gas on peaceful demonstrators, asserting the need to acknowledge the alarming approaches taken by federal agents. “It is important for us to recognize the unprecedented nature of what ICE was doing in Minneapolis, St. Paul, the way that federal agents, ICE agents were being deployed, without any clear guidelines, training, pulling people out of their homes, using five-year-olds to try to bait their parents… all the stuff that we saw, teargassing crowds simply who were standing there, not breaking any laws,” he stated.

The protests, which gained traction following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents, sparked a significant public outcry. Following these demonstrations, U.S. Border Patrol official Tom Homan announced a reduction in immigration enforcement in Minnesota, a change many attribute to the activism of local residents. Obama remarked, “Right now, we’re being tested, and the good news is, what we saw in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and what we’re seeing in places across the country, including here in Los Angeles, has been the American people saying no.”

Both Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama expressed their condolences regarding Alex Pretti’s death, describing it as a “heartbreaking tragedy” and a cautionary tale for the nation. In a joint statement, they emphasized, “It is a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.”

As public protests continue to challenge federal practices, Obama’s comments resonate with ongoing debates around immigration enforcement and civil rights. The Minneapolis demonstrations highlight a growing discontent within the American populace toward aggressive federal measures. This latest chapter in ICE’s controversial history marks a significant moment that may influence the agency’s operations moving forward, while galvanizing citizens nationwide to demand accountability and justice.

As communities reflect on these events, Obama’s messages of hope and resilience underscore the importance of civic engagement in shaping the future of immigration policy and the protection of human rights.

Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/obama-criticizes-ice-tactics-in-minneapolis-pulling-people-out-of-their-homes-using-five-year-olds-to-bait-parents-11771187065423.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-16 03:00:00