Minneapolis police chief draws scorn for using Nativity story to attack ICE: 'False teaching'

The Minneapolis police chief drew scorn for likening Mary and Joseph to illegal immigrants during a Tuesday press conference railing against law enforcement in the city by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Flanked by Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara appealed to the Nativity story to criticize ICE raids in Minneapolis, where dozens of residents clashed with ICE agents earlier this week.

“It's especially personal to me, having been raised a Catholic, to be in a Christian church this morning, as we are approaching Christmas," said O'Hara, who has served in his position since 2022.

"And I cannot help but think of what is happening in our city today, and how that echoes with how outsiders have been treated for thousands of years; how Mary and Joseph themselves were considered outsiders, and forced to stay in a barn," he continued.

"That's what we're getting ready to commemorate as Christians around the world, while all of this fear is happening in our town," he added.

Continued below.