Border Patrol detains two employees at Richfield Target after confrontation

Cellphone videos show Border Patrol agents detaining two employees at a Target store in Richfield, Minn., last week, a confrontation that included agents pushing a worker toward a sport utility vehicle and has reignited political debate around the retailer, which is headquartered in nearby Minneapolis.

The footage shows the agents walking alongside Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and two employees who appeared to be filming; one of the workers shouted, "I’m a U.S. citizen!" as agents pushed him toward the S.U.V. The Department of Homeland Security said one of the workers had been arrested in connection with "assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers," but the department did not answer additional questions and it was unclear if either employee had been formally charged.

State Representative Michael Howard said both workers were U.S. citizens and had been released. Target declined to comment and has yet to issue a public statement. The incident has revived longstanding pressure on Target from residents, clergy and activists over a range of issues, including recent backlash after the company rolled back D.E.I.

goals and earlier protests tied to Minneapolis events. Dozens of clergy gathered at Target’s headquarters asking the company to keep immigration agents off its properties and to press Congress to hold officials accountable, the Rev. Laura Messer said.

Key Topics

Business, Target, Richfield, Minneapolis, Border Patrol, Gregory Bovino