Police in Maple Grove, Minnesota arrested multiple protesters Monday night after declaring an unlawful assembly outside a hotel where Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino was believed to be staying. The Maple Grove Police Department said the Maple Grove protest at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott began at 8 p.m. local time and escalated when demonstrators engaged in property damage and threw objects at officers. According to police, the situation led to a dispersal order being issued, and individuals who failed to comply or committed crimes were taken into custody.
The exact number of arrests remains unclear, with initial reports varying significantly. The Minnesota Star Tribune reported at least six people were arrested, while CNN later cited police sources indicating approximately 26 people were taken into custody. Police officials have not released a final count, noting they are still processing arrests from the incident. The crowd eventually dispersed around 10 p.m. according to the police department’s statement.
Context Behind the Maple Grove Protest
The demonstration occurred amid ongoing tensions surrounding Bovino’s presence in the Minneapolis area over the past week. Protesters have clashed with federal agents and immigration authorities following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse from Minneapolis, by Border Patrol agents on Saturday. Bovino was among several Trump administration officials who made unsubstantiated claims that Pretti “wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement,” according to reports.
Video footage published by the Associated Press showed protesters using whistles, kitchen utensils and planks of wood to make noise outside the hotel building. Demonstrators also held up protest signs during the gathering. However, it remains uncertain whether Bovino was actually present at the hotel during the protest, despite protesters’ belief that he was staying there.
Expected Departure and Immigration Operations
Multiple media outlets reported Monday that Bovino is expected to leave Minnesota imminently along with some of his agents. The Wall Street Journal and New York Times have both indicated that Bovino’s departure comes as President Donald Trump announced plans to send border czar Tom Homan to direct immigration operations in the area. This shift in leadership follows the heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement activities in Minneapolis.
Earlier Monday, the Atlantic reported that Bovino was being removed from his role as Border Patrol “commander at large” and would return to his former position in El Centro, California, from which he is expected to retire soon. Nevertheless, the Department of Homeland Security refuted this report, stating that Bovino has “NOT been relieved of his duties.” The conflicting information has added uncertainty to questions about Bovino’s immediate future with the agency.
Authorities have not confirmed a specific timeline for Bovino’s departure from Minnesota or provided details about potential charges against those arrested during the protest. The Maple Grove Police Department’s investigation into Monday night’s incident continues as officials process arrests and assess property damage.
