On January 15, 2026, a federal officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shot a Venezuelan man in the leg during an attempted arrest. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that the incident occurred when officers attempted to stop a vehicle, leading to a confrontation after the man allegedly attacked an officer with a snow shovel and broom handle. Following the shooting, protests erupted in the city.

The DHS stated that the man attempted to evade arrest by crashing his vehicle and fleeing on foot. During the struggle, two individuals reportedly intervened, striking the officer, which prompted the officer to fire a shot in self-defense, injuring the immigrant. This incident follows another on January 7, 2026, when an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a local resident and legal observer at a protest against immigration policies. Good's death led to widespread outrage and protests, with local officials condemning the actions of federal agents.

In response to the recent shooting, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed anger and concern over the escalating violence, emphasizing the need for community and justice rather than chaos. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the federal response, noting the disproportionate number of federal officers compared to local police.

The DHS has been conducting Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, aimed at apprehending undocumented immigrants and alleged criminals. This operation has faced legal challenges, with the state of Minnesota filing a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming it constitutes an unconstitutional invasion.

As of 2023, there are approximately 770,000 Venezuelan immigrants in the United States, with a significant portion being undocumented. The ongoing political and economic crisis in Venezuela has led to a mass exodus of its citizens, many of whom seek refuge and better opportunities abroad. The U.S. government has taken a hard stance against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, labeling him a 'narcoterrorist' and pursuing legal actions against him, despite conflicting intelligence assessments regarding his alleged connections to criminal organizations.

In a related development, Jayden D. Scott, a 23-year-old from Bay City, Michigan, appeared via Zoom for a custody hearing on January 14, 2026, instead of reporting to jail to serve a seven-day sentence. Scott had participated in a rally in Minnesota where he made provocative statements regarding Good's shooting. He was found in contempt of court for failing to appear at a previous hearing and was ordered to report to jail by January 16. Scott's remarks at the rally and his subsequent resignation from his position at a private healthcare firm have drawn attention to the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the responses to state aggression.