Dakota woman detained 48 hours by ICE agents in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Jan 16, 2026·Location: Brooklyn Center, MN

Sophie Watso, a 30-year-old Mdewakanton Dakota woman, was detained by ICE agents on January 14, 2026, after monitoring immigration enforcement activity in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. During her arrest, agents broke her truck windows and physically restrained her while she held her dog. She was charged under U.S. Code 18 Section 111 for allegedly obstructing a federal investigation, though no formal charges were filed. She was held for over 48 hours at Fort Snelling's Whipple Building and Sherbourne County Jail before being released on January 16, 2026, without charges being formally filed.
Timeline
Sources
- Woman and American citizen describes being held by ICE for two days
- Dakota woman recounts more than 48 hours in immigration detainment
ictnews.org·Feb 2, 2026·archived copy
- Dakota woman recounts more than 48 hours in immigration detention | Buffalo’s Fire
buffalosfire.com·Feb 2, 2026·archived copy
- Dakota Woman Held 48+ Hours by Immigration Agents - A Harrowing Remind
- bringmethenews.com
- Detained MN women help ICE agent having a seizure
www2.startribune.com·Jan 23, 2026·archived copy
- Lake Elmo mother remains in ICE custody despite release order
twincities.com·Aug 8, 2025·archived copy
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