U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) published a series of posts on December 18, 2025, addressing recent incidents involving law enforcement cooperation and immigration enforcement actions.
In a post at 17:05 UTC, ICE stated: "Law enforcement show up for law enforcement.
Minneapolis PD leadership choosing to stand officers down from assisting ICE, when a violent mob surrounded and attacked our officers, is a dereliction of duty.
Thank you for reporting on this, @Julio_Rosas11. https://t.co/Cur0BsQu01".
At 18:01 UTC the same day, ICE reported an arrest in New Jersey: "ICE Newark arrested Javier Esquivel Barrientos, a 58-year-old criminal illegal alien from Mexico.
He’s been convicted of VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER and METH DISTRIBUTION CONSPIRACY. https://t.co/YZINJSOu1R".
A few minutes later at 18:04 UTC, ICE commented on state-level policies in Maine: "By blocking law enforcement partnerships with ICE, Maine Governor Janet Mills is choosing to value the lives of criminal illegal alien murderers, rapists and gang members — the WORST of the worst — over the lives of American citizens. https://t.co/MT4kSTa3GW".
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is responsible for enforcing federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration to promote homeland security and public safety. Minneapolis Police Department leadership has previously faced scrutiny regarding decisions not to support federal immigration operations during public safety incidents. In Maine, Governor Janet Mills has enacted policies limiting cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities by restricting certain types of information sharing and participation in joint operations with ICE.
