ICE Allegedly Faked a Mechanical Breakdown to Arrest Immigrant in Minneapolis

Family Alleges ICE Deception

Father Arrested in Minnesota

DHS Labels Him a Gang Member

A family has alleged that a father was “tricked” by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into leaving his home in Minnesota so they could arrest him.

The incident occurred on February 12, around 1:00 p.m., in a suburb of Minneapolis.

According to the family, Jesús Flores, a mechanic and father of six, stepped outside his home to help two women who requested assistance for supposed mechanical issues. Minutes later, he was detained in what has become a controversial ICE arrest in Minneapolis.

ICE Arrest in Minneapolis Sparks Controversy and Official Response

DANGEROUS CRIMINAL AND GANG MEMBER ARRESTED. @ICEgov apprehended Jesus Emmanuel Flores-Aguilar, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and former Vatos Locos 13 gang member, in Minneapolis. His criminal history includes felony assault, a crime for which he was REMOVED from our… pic.twitter.com/fl3xxRgBLL

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) February 17, 2026

Flores’ son, Miguel Flores, described the events on social media.

“Two women approached our door on February 12 around 1:00 p.m., and it was later confirmed that they were ICE agents disguised as ordinary women who knocked on our door asking my dad for help with mechanical problems; he was then detained,” he wrote.

He added: “This unexpected situation has left our family shocked, scared, heartbroken, and searching for answers.”

The moment was captured on a neighbor’s security camera and later posted on Facebook, further amplifying debate over the ICE arrest in Minneapolis.

Video Shows Exact Moment of the Detention

In the six-minute recording, two women can be seen parking in front of the house and opening the vehicle’s hood.

One of them walks to the door and returns with Flores. The mechanic begins inspecting the car.

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Shortly afterward, three additional SUVs appear and block both sides of the street.

Flores attempts to flee but is surrounded by agents. He is placed into one of the vehicles, and the SUVs leave the scene.

The car that had appeared to be broken down drives away without any visible issues.

The Family’s Position

VILE: If you think ICE couldn’t sink any lower, they just did:

ICE Agents posed as a woman with car trouble. When a dad rushed out of his house to help, agents ambushed him and detained him.

They turned human decency into a trap. This is evil and disgusting. pic.twitter.com/WdsEdBeQHw

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) February 17, 2026

Flores’ wife, Dionicia Flores, told WCCO that her husband was the household’s primary breadwinner.

She stated that his income was essential for their six children.

She noted that two of them require special care.

The family told the outlet that Flores is undocumented.

They also stated that he was deported more than 15 years ago.

“My father is a very hardworking person,” his son told the station.

“He came here to give us a better life, and he has done that.”

According to the family, the children are U.S. citizens.

DHS Responds After Controversial ICE Arrest in Minneapolis

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the detention, stating that his full name is Jesús Emmanuel Flores-Aguilar.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent that he is “a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and former Vatos Locos 13 gang member whom authorities removed from this country twice, which constitutes a felony.”

She added that his record includes a felony assault charge. Authorities reportedly removed him in 2010.

She stated that he reentered illegally in 2011 and was removed again.

According to DHS, he entered the country a third time on an unknown date.

“This criminal and gang member will remain in ICE custody pending removal,” she said.

She also stated: “Flores-Aguilar’s gang name was Lucky. That ends today. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”

The incident comes amid ongoing immigration operations in Minnesota.

President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, announced that the government was withdrawing hundreds of officers from the state.

He also stated that an anti-immigration offensive was concluding following the deaths of two U.S. citizens.

Although he indicated that operations in Minneapolis were coming to an end, he said a force would remain in the city.

He explained that it would include a “security corps” to prevent interference in future ICE and Border Patrol operations, as the ICE arrest in Minneapolis continues to fuel public debate.