Minnesota Pushes Back as ICE Accused of Illegally Swapping License Plates
There’s a growing controversy unfolding in Minnesota right now, and it centers on how federal immigration agents are operating in the state. According to state officials, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, has been accused of violating Minnesota law by switching license plates between unmarked vehicles during enforcement operations, particularly in the Twin Cities area.
The issue came into sharper focus after Minnesota’s Driver and Vehicle Services, or DVS, sent a formal warning letter to the Department of Homeland Security. In that letter, the DVS director made it clear that reports had been received showing identical license plates appearing on multiple ICE vehicles. That kind of practice, the letter stated, is illegal under Minnesota law and will not be tolerated.
Now, it’s important to understand the nuance here. Minnesota does allow undercover law enforcement vehicles, including those used by federal agencies, to operate with standard passenger license plates. This is meant to protect officers who are doing sensitive or covert work. However, even under that program, the law is very clear: license plates are registered to a specific vehicle and cannot be transferred or “swapped” to another one. When that happens, state officials argue, it crosses a legal line.
Also Read:- Nintendo Switch Boxing Day Sale Brings Massive eShop Discounts Into the New Year
- Amateurs Shine Bright with Les Mis at the Royal Variety Performance 2025
Governor Tim Walz didn’t mince words when he addressed the issue publicly. He compared the alleged behavior to criminal activity, saying that placing plates on vehicles they’re not registered to makes it harder for local and state law enforcement to identify whether a vehicle is legitimately involved in official duties. From the state’s perspective, that creates confusion, undermines trust, and potentially puts people at risk.
Photos and videos shared online by journalists and community members have added fuel to the fire. Some appear to show vehicles with no plates at all, while others show identical plates on different cars. State lawmakers, including Representative Alex Falconer, have raised alarms, describing what they see as a lack of accountability. Falconer has argued that everyone operating in Minnesota, including federal agents, must follow state law.
This isn’t an isolated situation either. A similar incident reportedly occurred in Illinois earlier this month, where state officials revoked a license plate after discovering ICE agents had swapped plates on a rental vehicle. That example has been cited as evidence that states are increasingly willing to push back.
Politically, tensions are clearly rising. While the Walz administration has criticized ICE operations as harmful and unlawful, Republican lawmakers in Minnesota have accused the governor of playing politics and have voiced strong support for ICE. Both sides claim the other is politicizing the issue, but state leaders insist the core concern remains public safety and the rule of law.
As of now, federal agencies have not publicly responded to the Minnesota warning. But the message from state officials is unmistakable: in Minnesota, even federal agents are expected to follow the law.
Read More:
0 Comments