A private college in Minneapolis has found itself embroiled in a swirling controversy following allegations by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The department has accused staff at the institution of obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in an attempt to shield a student who is reportedly an illegal immigrant and a registered sex offender.

In a statement released on Monday night, the DHS responded to a local news story, revealing that ICE agents had detained Jesus Saucedo-Portillo. He is described as a criminal illegal immigrant with a history as a registered sex offender and a prior conviction for impaired driving. However, the arrest operation faced challenges when a university administrator, alongside campus security, allegedly interfered with the efforts of ICE agents.

Saucedo-Portillo is currently enrolled as an undergraduate at Augsburg University, located in Minneapolis, where the incident unfolded.

A photograph released by the Department of Homeland Security on December 8, 2025, shows Jesus Saucedo-Portillo, the individual in question. According to DHS, he holds a background as a sex offender and has been previously convicted of driving while intoxicated.

A mugshot of illegal immigrant Jesus Saucedo-Portillo who, according to DHS, is a sex offender and has a prior conviction for driving while intoxicated. Photo distributed on Dec. 8, 2025.  (Department of Homeland Security)

“Our officers told the school Administrator and campus security that ICE had a warrant for the illegal alien’s arrest. The school Administrator told ICE officers they were violating university policies,” the statement said. “Our officers informed them that federal law supersedes any University policy and that if campus security would not stop blocking the law enforcement vehicle from exiting, they would be obstructing justice.”

Despite the warning, the administrator refused to back down and ordered campus security to block the ICE vehicle, according to DHS.

A busy Augsburg College campus showing fall colors on Oct. 29, 2003.  (David Brewster/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

“Our officers followed their training to use the minimum amount of force necessary to clear the area and successfully arrested this criminal illegal alien,” the statement finished.

In an interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow corroborated that Saucedo-Portillo is a student, and claimed that the arrest was “illegal” and that ICE did not have a warrant.

He also said ICE agents drew their weapons on a group of staff and students who had gathered near the incident. The students then called campus security, which “set off a protocol for when ICE is on campus.”

He also praised students who participated in the anti-ICE action.

Voters fill out their ballots in a polling place at Augsburg University on Nov. 3, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

“We’re proud of [students] for the fact that they did that, despite the kind of hectic and traumatic nature of the event itself,” Pribbenow told the news outlet.

He also reportedly said that no staff or students violated the code of conduct at the Evangelical Lutheran affiliated school.

Augsburg officials did not return multiple requests for comment.