Christian Molina, a 40-year-old man, experienced a traumatic encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis on January 12, 2026. While driving to his mechanics shop around noon, federal agents rammed into the back of his vehicle, raising serious questions about their conduct.
Incident Details
Molina was en route to meet his wife at their shop when he noticed he was being followed by ICE agents. He reported that the agents struck his car before he could pull over. After the collision, they questioned him about his immigration status, asking if he was legally in the country and requesting identification. Molina, asserting his citizenship, refused to comply, insisting that the agents would need to call the police if they wanted to see his ID.
Community Response
The scene quickly attracted a crowd, with witnesses using whistles and honking horns in protest. The agents responded by deploying chemical irritants on bystanders. This incident occurred just blocks from where ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, just days earlier.
Concerns of Racial Profiling
Molina expressed his belief that he was targeted due to his ethnicity. “Because I look Latino, that’s it,” he stated, highlighting the ongoing issues of racial profiling by federal agents. He shared that many in the neighborhood, particularly Latino and Black residents, have been living in fear as ICE operations continue to intensify across Minneapolis and St. Paul.
- Incident Date: January 12, 2026
- Location: East 35th Street near Park Avenue, Minneapolis
- Victim: Christian Molina (40 years old)
- Community Reaction: Witnesses protested against ICE agents
- Related Incident: Shooting of Renee Good on January 7, 2026
Aftermath and Local Support
After the agents left the scene, Molina noted significant damage to his vehicle. An ICE officer told him the agency would cover the repair costs, but did not provide contact information for follow-up. Shortly after the incident, Molina began to experience lower back pain.
His wife, Lorena Molina, was understandably shaken when she arrived at the scene. “I just wanted him to come home safely to our kids,” she said, referring to their four children. Local officials, including City Council Member Jason Chavez, expressed concern over the alarming normalization of such aggressive tactics by federal agents.
Conclusion
This incident underscores the ongoing debates surrounding immigration enforcement practices and their impact on communities in Minnesota. As concerns about racial profiling and community safety grow, many residents remain fearful of potential ICE actions in their neighborhoods.
