ICE agents may have lied about shooting of migrant in Minneapolis, officials say

February 13, 2026

Two Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been placed on administrative leave after video evidence suggested they provided false testimony under oath regarding a January 14 shooting incident in Minneapolis involving migrants. The officers initially claimed that three migrants attacked an agent with shovels and broom handles, prompting defensive gunfire that wounded one person in the leg, but investigators discovered material inconsistencies in their accounts. As a result, federal prosecutors requested dismissal with prejudice of assault charges against two Venezuelan men, which a judge granted on Friday.

Who is affected

Two unnamed ICE officers placed on administrative leave
Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis (shot in the leg, had criminal charges dismissed)
Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna (had criminal charges dismissed)
Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Ledezma (arrested, detained in Texas, later released)
The ICE agent involved in the original incident
More than 4,000 undocumented immigrants arrested during Minnesota enforcement operations

What action is being taken

The two officers are placed on administrative leave
An internal ICE investigation is underway
The U.S. attorney's office is actively investigating the matter
Federal prosecutors have requested and received dismissal of charges against the two men

Why it matters

This case represents a serious breach of law enforcement integrity, as sworn testimony from federal officers appears to have been fabricated, leading to wrongful criminal charges against migrants. The false statements undermined public trust in immigration enforcement, resulted in one person being shot and wounded based on a misleading narrative, and led to high-level government officials making inflammatory public statements about "Minnesota insurrection" based on inaccurate information. The incident has significant implications for how immigration enforcement operations are conducted and documented, particularly given the dismissal with prejudice prevents any refiling of charges.

What's next

Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment
The officers may face potential criminal prosecution for lying under oath

Read full article from source: BBC