On the morning of December 21, 2025, a typically quiet stretch of Westminster Street in St. Paul, Minnesota, became the scene of a dramatic and chaotic encounter between federal immigration agents and a man identified as Juan Carlos Rodrigues Romero, an undocumented immigrant from Cuba. What began as a routine enforcement action quickly escalated into a dangerous chase, multiple collisions, and a federal agent firing his weapon—an incident now under intense scrutiny and sparking debate across the Twin Cities.
According to statements from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the St. Paul Police Department, the incident unfolded just after 8:20 a.m. when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to stop a white SUV near the 1300 block of Westminster Street. The man behind the wheel, later identified as Rodrigues Romero, refused to roll down his window or comply with agents’ commands. Instead, he drove off, striking a federal agent in the process (as reported by KSTP and FOX 9).
Witnesses described a sudden eruption of chaos in an otherwise tranquil neighborhood. "All I heard was a bang, then I heard sirens, and then I heard gunshots. Next thing I know there were other men showing up patrolling the area," said Susan Sulieman, a resident who observed the aftermath. Another local, Michael Laturno, reflected on the tension in the air: "That’s really a hard situation, because I know everybody’s trying to protect their family, and then ICE is just trying to do their thing. So it’s really hard." (KSTP).
Federal officials say that after being struck, the ICE agent fired two rounds from his service weapon, but no one was injured by the gunfire. Rodrigues Romero then led agents on a chase, during which he struck two parked cars and repeatedly rammed ICE vehicles, according to both Valley News Live and the Star Tribune. The pursuit ended at the front door of his apartment complex, where Rodrigues Romero again rammed a federal vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. In the struggle that followed, he bit an ICE officer before agents subdued and arrested him.
Both the agent who was struck and another ICE officer injured during the chase were hospitalized for evaluation, but their injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Rodrigues Romero was also taken to the hospital for evaluation before being placed in federal custody, where he remains pending further charges (FOX 9 and Star Tribune).
St. Paul police officers were quick to clarify their role—or lack thereof—in the incident. "St. Paul police confirmed that their officers were not involved in the arrest or the use-of-force incident," reported KSTP. The city’s officers had responded to the initial report of shots fired but did not participate in the pursuit or arrest, leaving the matter entirely in federal hands.
The episode has reignited simmering tensions between local officials and federal immigration authorities. Just a day before the incident, St. Paul city officials sent a cease-and-desist letter to DHS, instructing federal agents to stop using city-owned parking lots to stage vehicles and personnel. The letter reflects ongoing friction over the presence and tactics of ICE in the Twin Cities, particularly after a surge of federal enforcement actions in Minnesota earlier in December—actions that have led to more than 400 arrests, according to DHS figures cited by ABC News.
In the wake of Sunday’s events, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a pointed statement blaming local political leaders for creating a climate of hostility toward ICE. "This dangerous attempt to evade arrest comes after sanctuary politicians held webinars and provided resources and tips for how to openly defy ICE," McLaughlin said, as reported by FOX 9. "We are once again calling on sanctuary politicians, agitators, and the media to turn the temperature down and stop calling for violence and resistance against ICE law enforcement."
McLaughlin also emphasized that every use-of-force incident and any discharge of an ICE firearm must be reported and reviewed according to agency policy. "All shootings are initially reviewed by the appropriate law enforcement agency. Following a review of the incident by the appropriate investigative agency, ICE will conduct an independent review of the critical incident," she explained (ABC News and Star Tribune).
The review process is standard protocol for ICE, but it remains unclear at this stage which agency—if any—will take the lead in investigating the specific use-of-force that occurred on Westminster Street. The lack of immediate clarity has left some local residents uneasy, especially those whose property was damaged during the pursuit. One resident, who did not want to be identified, told KSTP that her car was damaged after being struck by an ICE vehicle during the incident.
For many in the neighborhood, the events of December 21 have brought the national debate over immigration enforcement quite literally to their doorstep. The Twin Cities have long been a flashpoint for disagreements over federal and local roles in immigration policy, and recent weeks have seen both protests against ICE and vocal calls for increased enforcement. The incident has also highlighted the strain between federal agencies and local governments, especially as city officials seek to assert their authority over public spaces and law enforcement practices within their jurisdiction.
As the investigation into Sunday’s events continues, questions linger about how best to balance public safety, the rights of residents, and the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The episode has underscored the complexity of such encounters and the real-world consequences for everyone involved—from the agents tasked with carrying out federal directives to the community members caught in the crossfire, both figuratively and, on this occasion, almost literally.
With Rodrigues Romero now in federal custody and two ICE agents recovering from their injuries, the story is far from over. The outcome of the official review into the use of force, as well as the broader debate over immigration enforcement in Minnesota, will likely shape local and national conversations for months to come.
