The alleged detention of two Indian students during an immigration check in Minnesota has intensified scrutiny of an escalating federal crackdown that has already sparked weeks of protests across the state.
Unverified reports circulating on social media claim the students were taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during a surprise inspection at a restaurant in St Louis Park on January 16 (US time).
Visuals shared online appear to show officers handcuffing and escorting the men from the premises after questioning staff. The detentions are said to relate to suspected visa violations, though no official confirmation has been issued by US authorities.
Speculation online has suggested the students may have been engaged in unauthorised off-campus work, which would breach the conditions of an F-1 student visa. However, officials have not released any formal statement, and the authenticity of the images and claims has not been independently verified.
The incident comes amid a heavy federal deployment to Minnesota, where thousands of immigration and border patrol officers have been sent in recent weeks.
The surge has triggered widespread demonstrations, with tensions flaring as authorities respond with arrests, crowd-control measures and, in some cases, the use of force.
Legal challenges have begun to curb some of these measures. On Friday, US District Judge Kate Menendez ordered limits on certain ICE tactics in Minneapolis, barring agents from retaliating against individuals engaged in peaceful, non-obstructive protest.
The unrest has also included separate incidents, such as the shooting of a Venezuelan man during a traffic stop in Minneapolis. The US Department of Homeland Security said officers opened fire after being attacked, adding that the man was in the country illegally.
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