“From drug smuggling to criminal labor trafficking, this operation showcases the breadth of our collective missions and the strength of a united front,” said Jamie Holt, ICE Homeland Security Investigations’ St. Paul special agent in charge.

A law enforcement officer, who was wearing an ICE badge, stands outside Las Cuatro Milpas restaurant on Tuesday. (Elizabeth Flores/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Witnesses reported seeing a truck from the Department of Homeland Security and masked agents bearing DEA, FBI, ICE and later, ATF badges along Lake Street. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in St. Paul said its agents came to the scene to assist with the crowd, supplemented by personnel from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and Minneapolis police.

Video from the scene showed protesters yelling “shame” and tussling with law enforcement near Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue. Meanwhile, a firestorm of social media posts decried the raid, assuming it pertained to immigration.

Law enforcement officials criticized protesters, saying some fought with federal officers during the search. They also cited the responses of some elected city officials.

“It is not OK for people to obstruct law enforcement when we are trying to obtain evidence,” Witt said.

O’Hara defended his department’s response as he spoke alongside Frey saying that although MPD did not participate in the operation, officers ensured the safety of the public and federal agents. However, he acknowledged in a Wednesday evening statement regarding the federal search that the “manner in which it was executed was tone deaf to the reality of tensions and fear in our community.” O’Hara said he informed federal authorities about his concerns. He also reaffirmed Minneapolis police would continue to not participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.