Illegal Immigrant Leads ICE on Wild Chase

An illegal immigrant from Honduras who entered under the Biden administration’s lax border policies led ICE agents on a dangerous high-speed chase through a residential St. Paul neighborhood during morning school drop-off, crashing into multiple vehicles before his desperate escape attempt ended in arrest and hospitalization.

Story Snapshot

Alexander Romero-Avila, an illegal immigrant from Honduras who entered in 2022, fled ICE agents at high speed through St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood on February 11, 2026
The reckless chase ended in a multi-vehicle crash at Western and Selby Avenues around 9:30 a.m., damaging bystanders’ vehicles and injuring Romero-Avila
After the crash, the suspect climbed through his window and attempted to flee on foot before being recaptured by federal agents
The incident occurred during Operation Metro Surge, part of President Trump’s renewed immigration enforcement crackdown reversing Biden-era catch-and-release policies

High-Speed Flight Through Residential Neighborhood

ICE agents attempted a targeted vehicle stop of Alexander Romero-Avila in St. Paul, Minnesota, on the morning of February 11, 2026. Instead of complying with federal law enforcement, Romero-Avila accelerated southbound on Western Avenue in a Prius at what witnesses described as “crazy fast” speeds. The pursuit tore through the Cathedral Hill neighborhood, a residential area near schools and coffee shops, during the morning rush when parents were dropping children off at school. This reckless decision to flee endangered countless innocent Americans going about their daily routines.

Multi-Vehicle Crash and Failed Escape

The high-speed chase culminated in a violent crash at the intersection of Western and Selby Avenues around 9:30 a.m. Romero-Avila’s Prius collided with multiple vehicles, including bystanders’ cars and an ICE vehicle, causing property damage to innocent citizens. Despite sustaining non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, Romero-Avila refused to accept responsibility for his actions. Witnesses observed him climbing out of his car window and attempting to flee on foot before another ICE agent apprehended him. He was transported to Regions Hospital for treatment and remains in federal custody. St. Paul police arrived at 9:39 a.m. as a crowd of over 100 protesters formed, some yelling at agents attempting to enforce immigration law.

Suspect Fleeing ICE Attempts High-Speed Getaway, but Things Go Very Badly for Himhttps://t.co/XM678SjaPX

— RedState (@RedState) February 11, 2026

Part of Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Restoration

This incident occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a component of the Trump administration’s efforts to restore immigration law enforcement after four years of Biden administration policies that released hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants into American communities. Romero-Avila himself entered the United States and was released under the Biden administration in 2022, according to federal records. The same day as this chase, ICE conducted another operation north of Anoka where a Latino couple was briefly detained during a highway pursuit before being released. These operations represent the current administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws that protect American citizens from the consequences of illegal immigration.

Pattern of Dangerous Evasion Tactics

The St. Paul incident follows a troubling pattern of illegal immigrants choosing dangerous high-speed flight over lawful compliance with immigration enforcement. On February 4, 2026, a similar ICE chase in Austin, Texas, involved unmarked vehicles and armed agents pursuing a suspect for more than two blocks before apprehension. In Fullerton, California, on January 23, 2026, an ICE vehicle stop escalated into a foot pursuit of an armed suspect, with local police initially unaware they were assisting federal immigration enforcement. These incidents demonstrate the public safety risks created when individuals in the country illegally prioritize evasion over compliance, endangering law-abiding Americans in the process.

DHS Defends Lawful Enforcement Actions

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended ICE agents’ actions, stating that Romero-Avila’s reckless evasion, including running red lights, created the dangerous situation. McLaughlin confirmed that only the fleeing suspect sustained injuries and that no members of the public or ICE agents were hurt. However, local critics and activists organized protests, with groups like Chanhassen Intersection demanding an end to Operation Metro Surge, characterizing the enforcement operation as reckless. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz indicated a potential wind-down of federal operations, revealing the political tensions between state officials and federal immigration enforcement. As of late February 11, no criminal charges had been filed against Romero-Avila beyond immigration violations.