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U.S. citizen Target employee tackled, handcuffed by Border Patrol agents in Minnesota

Jan 13, 2026·Location: Richfield, MN

U.S. citizen Target employee tackled, handcuffed by Border Patrol agents in Minnesota
Photo via projects.propublica.org

Jonathan Aguilar Garcia, a 17-year-old U.S. citizen working at a Target store in Richfield, Minnesota, was tackled to the ground, handcuffed, and forced into a van by federal immigration agents on January 8, 2026, after being asked if he was a citizen. Video captured by Bring Me The News shows Garcia repeatedly shouting, "I'm literally a U.S. citizen," as he presented identification including a passport while being restrained. His sister said on Facebook that he hit his head during the confrontation but was otherwise safe. Garcia was released hours later with injuries at a Walmart parking lot after agents verified his citizenship. A coworker, Christian Miranda Romano, was also detained in the same incident and later released. The Department of Homeland Security said one of the two employees was arrested for assaulting a federal officer, though no charges have been filed. The detention occurred during Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota that began December 1, 2025, and is among more than 500 cases ProPublica has documented of U.S. citizens detained by immigration agents under the Trump administration.

Timeline

Jan 13, 2026—ProPublica reported the incident as part of a broader investigation into U.S. citizens detained by immigration agents
Jan 8, 2026—Jonathan Aguilar Garcia and coworker Christian Miranda Romano detained by federal immigration agents at Richfield, Minnesota Target store despite asserting citizenship
Jan 8, 2026—Garcia released with injuries in a Walmart parking lot after citizenship verified; Romano also later released
Dec 1, 2025—Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, began
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