Border Patrol Chase and Detain Teen After Crash in Minneapolis
In a dramatic incident caught on video, Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis chased and detained a teenager following a car crash, igniting discussions about immigration enforcement tactics and community responses.
Incident Unfolds During Enforcement Operation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that agents were conducting targeted immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis when they attempted to stop a black Toyota Camry. The vehicle allegedly sped away from the agents, leading to a pursuit that ended in a crash.
According to DHS, the driver, identified as Joffre Alexander Jara Llangari, a 19-year-old from Ecuador, lost control and crashed into a tree. Both Jara Llangari and his passenger, Rosa Florinda Llangari-Tenecoraa, fled on foot but were eventually apprehended by the agents.
Cell Phone Video Captures the Chase
Local resident Skylar Fehlen recorded the incident on her cell phone. The video shows an agent wearing a Border Patrol vest chasing the teen, who is wearing a gray hoodie. The teen can be heard yelling in Spanish, “Yo soy legal, yo soy legal,” meaning “I’m legal, I’m legal.”
The woman filming the video can be heard screaming, “Stop! Stop! No!” as the chase intensifies. The teen was later seen laying on his stomach on the snow-covered street, with the agent standing above him, pinning him down.
Community Response and Questions Raised
Someone in the video asks the agent if he had a warrant, to which there is no response. The teen continues to yell in Spanish, asserting his legal status. Fehlen, who was in her living room when she heard the crash, grabbed her whistle and ran outside to witness the unfolding events.
“He yells for help, 'Help me, help me, help me,' and the ICE agent ends up coming, running and tackling him in the middle of the street, pins him down, is speaking to him in Spanish, trying to get him to calm down, and then he arrests him,” Fehlen told The Associated Press.
Fehlen criticized the federal immigration crackdown, stating, “They don’t care about documentation. They’re absolutely taking everybody, and then they end up releasing them just because they’re on this power trip.”
DHS Provides Details on the Incident
In a statement, DHS said both Jara Llangari and Llangari-Tenecoraa had previously been served with notices to appear. Jara Llangari had received a notice in 2024, while Llangari-Tenecoraa had been served with one in 2022. The agency stated, “Both will remain in custody pending removal proceedings.”
Background on Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has targeted major blue cities across the nation, including Minneapolis. Since December, there have been more than 3,000 federal immigration personnel deployed in Minneapolis as part of these operations.
These targeted enforcement operations have sparked debate and concern among residents and community leaders about the methods used and the impact on immigrant communities.
Community Activism and Whistle Use
Fehlen’s use of a whistle to alert the public about the presence of immigration officers highlights a growing community effort to monitor and respond to immigration enforcement activities. Such actions reflect a broader movement to ensure transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement.
The Role of Video Evidence
The cell phone video recorded by Fehlen serves as a powerful tool for documentation and public awareness. In an era where video evidence can play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and policy discussions, such recordings are increasingly important.
Broader Implications and Future Actions
The incident in Minneapolis underscores the complex and often contentious nature of immigration enforcement in the United States. As debates continue, the role of community activism, the use of technology for documentation, and the methods employed by immigration authorities remain central issues.
Community leaders and activists are calling for greater oversight and transparency in immigration enforcement operations, particularly in cities like Minneapolis where the presence of federal immigration personnel has been significant.
Conclusion
The chase and detention of the teenager in Minneapolis serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. As the DHS proceeds with removal proceedings for the detained individuals, the community and policymakers alike will continue to grapple with the broader implications of these operations.
