Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday. (Ben Brewer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bovino appeared alongside Marcos Charles, acting executive associate director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, as DHS officials outlined what they described as a sharp increase in arrests, mounting confrontations and resistance from local leaders during Operation Metro Surge.
Bovino said the operation is focused on public safety and violent offenders, rejecting claims that enforcement actions are random or politically motivated.
"Our operations are lawful, they’re targeted and they’re focused on individuals who pose a serious threat to this community," Bovino said. "They are not random, and they are not political."
WHITE HOUSE SAYS WALZ, FREY INCITED CHAOS AFTER ANTI-ICE MOB STORMS MINNEAPOLIS CHURCH
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino speaks during a news conference Tuesday in St. Paul, Minn. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Bovino listed several cases he said occurred as recently as the previous day, including what he described as a registered sex offender convicted of crimes against a child and other individuals charged with rape, domestic assault and other violent offenses.
Bovino also referenced the recent disruption of a church service during an anti-ICE protest.
"Do we like what happened with the church there a couple of days ago when individuals came in and disrupted almost violently a church service? Absolutely not," Bovino said.
The Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into the disruption at a Minneapolis-area church after protesters stormed a service over a perceived ICE connection Sunday.
Bovino rejected a reporter's claims during a Q&A, saying agents act in a manner he described as a "legal, ethical and moral" manner and arguing that confrontations often involve agitators rather than random civilians.
"Oftentimes, it’s agitators, rioters, anarchists that place mom-and-pop America near very tense situations when they shouldn’t even be," Bovino said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Asked about the status of the officer involved in the Jan. 7 shooting of Good, Charles said the officer is "recovering at home," but he did not answer whether the officer remains on administrative leave or involved in the operation.
Walz and Frey's offices, as well as the Minneapolis Police Department, did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Jasmine Baehr is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, faith and culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dhs-says-ice-agents-rammed-vehicles-amid-minneapolis-enforcement-surge-aggressively-assaulted