A Minnesota police chief intervened when federal immigration officers detained a woman during a roadside encounter, then drove her home himself.
Minnesota Public Radio reported that the woman, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, had been tracking the movements of federal immigration officers using her car’s dashcam. She claimed three vehicles began following her before attempting to “box” her in. Moments later, she alleged officers forcibly removed her from her vehicle, leaving her with cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
The woman was arrested and driven towards the Twin Cities, where she believed she would be taken to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. However, during the journey, officials reportedly received a phone call purportedly from an ICE supervisor, causing them to abruptly change direction. Instead of continuing on, they returned her to St Peter.
Local police chief Matt Grochow became involved. In an email to the news outlet, he confirmed that the woman was brought to the St Peter Police Department. “ICE returned the female to our police department,” Chief Grochow stated. “I saw her, and I gave her a ride home.”
The woman described the drive as emotionally distressing, stating that the chief already knew her address after speaking with her husband. He talked to her like she couldn’t believe how terrible the situation was.
Chief Grochow did not provide further details about his involvement.