A group of former federal prosecutors who previously handled cases related to the January 6 Capitol riot has drafted a memo advising Congress on how to investigate allegations involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel in Minneapolis.
The document outlines a potential framework for oversight, recommending that congressional committees examine claims of excessive force and other possible violations by agents operating in the city. It calls for lawmakers to obtain internal ICE and Department of Homeland Security records, including use-of-force reports, field communications and agency reviews.
The memo also urges Congress to seek testimony from ICE officials, local law enforcement partners and individuals who say they witnessed or experienced the alleged incidents. It recommends holding structured hearings that would place agency leadership and field supervisors under oath while examining the chain of command, reporting procedures and existing enforcement policies.
Among the proposed areas of inquiry are how agents are trained in arrest tactics and crowd control, how complaints are documented, and whether any disciplinary actions followed reported incidents. The authors suggest subpoenas could be used if agencies do not fully comply with information requests, noting that congressional committees have the authority to compel documents and testimony.
Drawing on investigative methods used in large federal cases, the memo advises lawmakers to prepare for extensive evidence review, including videos, emails and field reports. It also recommends establishing clear protocols for handling sensitive material and organizing both public and closed-door sessions.
The document encourages committees to compare ICE’s internal policies with federal standards and relevant court rulings, and to consult independent experts in policing and civil rights law. It further proposes outreach to Minneapolis-based organizations that track immigration enforcement activity, along with coordination with inspectors general and other government watchdog offices.
The memo does not reach conclusions about the allegations and instead presents its recommendations as a roadmap for a possible congressional inquiry. Any investigation, including its scope and timeline, would ultimately be determined by committee leadership.
The identities and current affiliations of the former prosecutors were not detailed in the summary of the memo, and the specific dates and number of reported incidents were not provided. As of now, members of Congress have not announced formal hearings or publicly adopted the recommendations, and neither committee offices nor ICE have issued detailed responses to the proposal.
