ICE agents pin down pregnant woman to pavement in viral video, draws flak: 'She cant breathe, We kept yelling'

A viral video showing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents pinning a pregnant woman to the ground in Minneapolis stirred a row over aggressive deportation tactics under the Trump administration.

The incident occurred on Monday under 'Operation Metro Surge'. Neighbours captured footage from multiple angles showing the pregnant woman being forced face-down into the snow-covered pavement while ICE officers handcuffed and dragged her across the icy ground by one arm. Residents could be heard shouting, “She is pregnant! She's pregnant!” and “She can't breathe!” as they hurled snowballs at the ICE agents to intervene.

CBS News reported that the tense standoff escalated and at least four residents who tried to protect the woman were taken into federal custody. Social media called the actions ‘inhumane’ and said that the enforcement went far beyond ethical limits. Federal officials defended the operation, saying such measures are necessary whenever a crowd interferes with law enforcement activity.


The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the operation in general. In a statement last week, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary, said, “ICE law enforcement officers have arrested more than 400 illegal aliens including pedophiles, rapists, and violent thugs since Operation Metro Surge began. Tim Walz and Jacob Frey failed to protect the people of Minnesota. They let these monsters and child predators roam free.”

She added: “Thanks to our brave law enforcement, Minnesota is safer with these thugs off their streets. Instead of thanking our law enforcement for removing criminals from their communities, Tim Walz and Jacob Frey continue to demonize our brave law enforcement.”

This is not the first video of ICE agents using such tactics to detain people

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• In October 2025, viral videos showed ICE raids affecting families, with toddlers and children caught up in arrests. During during “Operation Midway Blitz” in Illinois, Human Rights Watch documented excessive force used against protesters, journalists, and medics near an ICE facility.
• In November 2025, ICE agents reportedly used tear gas while detaining residents on Chicago’s North Side. ICE detained a 15-year-old girl in Chicago and used tear gas during residential raids.

• In December 2025, a US green card holder in Massachusetts filed a lawsuit alleging violent and unlawful detention by ICE, including rough treatment of her autistic child.