ICE Scandal: Agents Suspended for Allegedly Lying After Shooting

ICE agents suspended

Video contradicts official account

DOJ drops charges

Two immigration agents have been suspended as an internal investigation advances into allegations that they made false statements.

The case is linked to an incident in Minneapolis, initially described as a violent attack.

During that operation, a Venezuelan man was shot in the leg last month, according to EFE.

ICE Agents Suspended After Shooting

Two ICE agents suspended for allegedly lying after shooting Venezuelan man https://t.co/DWuZwNhuiL

— AlbertoRodNews (@AlbertoRodNews) February 13, 2026

Acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, confirmed the action.

The agents were placed on administrative leave while a “thorough investigation” is completed.

The incident occurred on January 14 during an immigration enforcement operation in the city.

The suspensions mark a turning point in the ICE Minneapolis shooting investigation.

Video of the Shooting in Minneapolis Contradicts ICE’s Official Version

This is the man Democrats are defending

Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, an illegal alien who attacked an ICE officer with a shovel and is smiling on the way to the hospital

Tim Walz and Jacob Frey are on his side – not yours pic.twitter.com/1qPQust8D9

— Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) January 15, 2026

According to the initial account from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agent fired in self-defense.

Venezuelan national Julio César Sosa-Celis, 24, allegedly attacked the officer with a shovel or broomstick.

Authorities stated that the agent suffered injuries requiring hospital treatment.

DHS described the incident as an “attempted murder of a federal agent,” claiming the officer had been ambushed and beaten before discharging his weapon.

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The shot struck Sosa-Celis in the leg.

However, Lyons later stated that a review of video evidence altered the narrative.

According to the official statement, the ICE agents “appear to have made false statements” in sworn testimony.

Providing false information under oath is a criminal offense.

DOJ Drops Federal Charges

Following the incident, Venezuelans Julio César Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna, 26, were charged with federal offenses.

Both were accused of allegedly assaulting an agent during what authorities described as a chaotic detention.

However, on Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped the charges.

The decision was made after new evidence emerged.

The dismissal represents a significant development in the ICE Minneapolis shooting investigation, coinciding with the suspension of the agents.

ICE Under Political and Public Pressure

ICE and DHS are facing intense public scrutiny.

Immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis have been questioned for their level of force.

During those raids, two U.S. citizens — Renée Good and Alex Pretti — died.

This week, White House border czar Tom Homan announced that the raids in the city had concluded.

He also confirmed that the ICE agents deployed to Minneapolis would leave the area.

DHS is also under budgetary pressure.

The Democratic minority in Congress has called for stricter regulations on enforcement operations.

They have also demanded accountability for agents who abuse their authority.

Critics have called for the resignation of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Noem had previously cited the incident involving Julio César Sosa-Celis to warn about the dangers agents face.

When asked in Phoenix this Friday about her future at the department, she responded, “If I’m still in charge of DHS.”

The internal investigation continues and could determine formal responsibility.

Meanwhile, the case continues to fuel debate over immigration enforcement operations and institutional oversight of federal agencies, as the ICE Minneapolis shooting investigation unfolds.