Top Border Patrol official and other federal agents being investigated

A Minnesota prosecutor said on Monday that her office is investigating the "potentially unlawful behavior" of federal agents during Operation Metro Surge, a crackdown earlier this year on undocumented immigrants that met widespread community resistance and in which agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens, sparking nationwide outrage.



Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, whose jurisdiction includes Minneapolis, said at a press conference that her office had created a portal that would allow the public to send in videos and other evidence of incidents they witnessed in which they think Gregory Bovino, who once called himself the "commander at large" of the U.S. Border Patrol, and other federal agents committed a crime.



"We will investigate and pursue charging where appropriate, and we'll seek collaboration with local law enforcement wherever and whenever needed," Moriarty said. "Make no mistake, we are not afraid of any legal fight."



While acknowledging the difficulty of successfully prosecuting federal agents, who enjoy strong legal protections against being charged for their actions, Moriarty added: "There is no absolute immunity for federal agents."



The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Border Patrol and ICE, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.