Eight Hours in ICE Custody at Whipple Building

On a recent Sunday, two U.S. citizens, Patty O’Keefe and Brandon Sigüenza, were arrested during an incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis. Their experience highlights the troubling practices at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, particularly at the Bishop Henry Whipple Building.

Incident Overview

O’Keefe, 36, and Sigüenza, 32, were responding to reports of a federal agent using pepper spray on protesters at the intersection of 16th Avenue S. and E. 42nd Street. When federal agents approached their vehicle, they used pepper spray, broke the windows, and arrested both individuals for obstruction of justice.

Arrest Details

After being taken into custody, O’Keefe and Sigüenza spent eight hours at the Whipple Building but were ultimately released without charges. They reported a chaotic environment inside the facility, which has faced scrutiny for the treatment of detainees. During their detention, they observed a significant number of individuals, many of whom were packed into holding cells and were in desperate conditions.

Conditions at the Whipple Building

• Three U.S. House members, including Ilhan Omar, visited the Whipple Building just a day before O’Keefe and Sigüenza’s arrest.
• The representatives reported seeing ineffective living conditions for detainees, including individuals without beds.
• Upon O’Keefe and Sigüenza’s arrival, they were placed in separate, small holding cells where they were denied basic necessities such as water and toilet access.

Personal Experiences

Both individuals faced degrading treatment from federal agents. O’Keefe reported that one agent mocked her appearance after taking her photo without consent. The unsettling atmosphere was heightened by the physical and emotional distress observed among other detainees.

Sigüenza recounted the neglect he faced during his detention, with handcuffs causing discomfort and agents displaying confusion about operational procedures. They both requested basic help, which was mostly ignored until threats were made.

Questions and Allegations

During the questioning process, agents sought names of protest organizers and information about possible violence. Sigüenza was startled when an agent proposed a deal in exchange for legal protection for undocumented individuals he might know.

Release and Aftermath

The final moments of their detention were marked by chaos. Upon release, Sigüenza was initially denied access to a phone to contact his wife. Shortly after, protest activities escalated outside, where he was inadvertently caught in further violence initiated by law enforcement.

Both O’Keefe and Sigüenza reflected on their experience as a stark representation of the distress faced by many individuals at ICE facilities. Their story underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform within immigration enforcement practices in the United States.