Immigration officials raid southern Minnesota towns

by Sea Stachura, Minnesota Public Radio

Rochester, Minn. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement took 19 people into custody during an enforcement action in south central Minnesota Thursday.

ICE spokesman Tim Counts says six of the individuals were fugitives. Immigration courts had previously demanded their deportation.

"There were children involved. There were a couple of those encountered who were fugitives were juveniles. This was because the immigration judge had ordered the entire family deported because they had entered the country illegally," said Counts.

Counts says agents found 13 other undocumented immigrants during the course of the action.

Ten people were arrested in Madelia, five in St. James. The remainder were arrested in Windom, Butterfield and Lewisville. Most of the individuals were arrested at their homes.