Minnesota ICE Detainees Claim They Helped Agent Through Seizure While Detained

In a dramatic and unexpected twist during Minnesota's heightened immigration enforcement operation, two women detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claim they stepped in to help an ICE agent suffering seizures whilst in custody.

The incident has raised questions about frequent encounters between detainees and federal agents, as well as medical preparedness and accountability within the immigration enforcement system. According to the women's accounts shared with the Star Tribune, depicted in a TikTok video, and detailed in reporting, the pair—identified as Tippy Amundson, 39, and Heather Zemien, 55—said the incident occurred whilst they were being transported in the back of an ICE SUV in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

What Happened During the Medical Emergency

The women said the agent began having multiple seizures whilst the vehicle was stopped at a red light, and that they repeatedly urged the driver to pull over and call emergency services. Once freed from their handcuffs, Amundson—who has CPR and first-aid training—and Zemien say they cleared the agent's airway, cradled his head, and kept him stable until emergency responders arrived.

Amundson said she removed the agent's gun from its holster to reposition him safely, whilst Zemien rolled up a tactical vest to support his head and helped retain body heat by urging officers to close the vehicle doors.

Aftermath and Release

Once emergency medical personnel took over, the women were taken to the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis and later released to the custody of their state representative. In their recounting of events, the women claim a commanding officer told them they should report being treated kindly whilst in custody—an instruction their lawyers advised them not to expand on publicly. The pair were said to have been detained for impeding federal officers before their release.

Broader Context: Enforcement and Scrutiny

The incident unfolds against a backdrop of intense immigration enforcement in Minnesota, part of what the US Department of Homeland Security calls Operation Metro Surge, which began in December 2025. The operation has seen thousands of arrests and widespread community attention, and reports of contentious interactions between federal agents and residents—including foreign nationals and US citizens—have become common.

Protests, legal challenges, and national scrutiny have followed reports of aggressive tactics, including alleged warrantless detentions and confrontations near homes and schools. Legal experts and civil liberties advocates have said such enforcement raises questions about constitutional protections and due process, especially amid allegations of racial profiling and rights violations.

St Paul's mayor condemned warrantless detentions as 'unacceptable and un-American', particularly after a US citizen was reportedly taken from his home without a warrant and left outside in subfreezing weather. In addition, research suggests a large proportion of those taken into ICE custody during the surge had no violent convictions, intensifying debate over the scope and method of enforcement.

Safety, Training, and Accountability Questions

The episode of detainees aiding a federal agent during a medical emergency highlights broader concerns about training and safety protocols within immigration enforcement operations. Amundson told FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul she was surprised at what she perceived as a lack of basic first-aid preparedness among agents.

Legal advocates say such incidents, and the subsequent management of detainees, point to systemic issues that warrant further review, both in how federal agencies handle critical incidents and how detainees are treated during transport. As Minnesota's immigration enforcement remains under scrutiny, the unusual role played by the two women will likely factor into ongoing debates about policy, transparency, and human rights in ICE operations.