Ecuador Files Formal Protest After ICE Agent Attempts Entry into Minneapolis Consulate
The government of Ecuador has lodged an official complaint with the United States following an incident where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent attempted to enter its consulate in Minneapolis. Consular officials denied the agent access, citing diplomatic protocols, prompting a formal note of protest from Ecuador to the U.S. Embassy.
Incident Unfolds at Minneapolis Consulate
On Tuesday, around 11:00 AM, an agent from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly tried to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis. Consular officials successfully prevented the agent from gaining access to the premises. Ecuador's foreign ministry stated that officials acted "to guarantee the protection of the Ecuadoreans who were inside the consulate at the time."
A video of the interaction, verified by Reuters, reportedly shows a consular official telling the agent:
"This is the consulate of Ecuador, you are not allowed to enter."
The agent is heard responding, "Relax, relax, I didn’t enter," and then, "If you touch me, I will grab you." The official then reiterated, "you can not enter here, this is a consulate, this is a foreign government's office," before closing the door, and the agent subsequently departed.
Diplomatic Protocols and Official Complaint
Ecuador's foreign ministry submitted a note of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador, requesting that such incidents not be repeated at any of Ecuador’s consular offices in the United States. The complaint emphasizes provisions of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which designates consular premises as "inviolable."
This international treaty specifically stipulates that authorities of the host country "shall not enter" parts of the consulate used for work without the express consent of the head of the consular post.
Broader Context and Political Reactions
The incident occurred amidst ongoing ICE operations in Minneapolis, part of an initiative known as “Metro Surge.” These operations have previously drawn criticism following the deaths of two U.S. citizens.
Representative Greg Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement criticizing the incident. Meeks described the event as:
"another outrageous and unacceptable disregard for the rule of law"
He further characterized it as a "breach of diplomatic protocols" by the Trump administration. Meeks also stated that any effort by U.S. law enforcement to enter a diplomatic facility without permission is unlawful and risks "setting a dangerous precedent for American diplomats globally." He suggested that the attempted intrusion indicated ICE operates "without rules, restraint, or accountability."
Lack of Official Comment
As of the time of reporting, neither the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, nor the State Department has provided a comment regarding the incident.