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A hug shared between a Border Patrol agent and a protester showed a heartwarming moment of humanity in Minnesota as clashes over immigration enforcement rattle the U.S.
The conversation, between a Border Patrol agent in full gear and an anti-immigration enforcement protester, was caught on video Thursday, giving insight into federal agents’ demeanor as they provide security amid rising tensions nationwide.
Speaking to the female protester, who was carrying a bullhorn and gas mask, the agent sought common ground over their shared experience of U.S. military service.
“You signed [up] to become a soldier, right,” the agent asked the woman. “The purpose of the soldier is to go to war. This mission is different [with Border Patrol]. I understand, because I was in the Air Force, and I was an airman.”
A Border Patrol agent chatted with a protester in Minnesota on Thursday, finding common ground over military service. (Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful)
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“Not the Air Force, they’re fly boys,” she quipped. “If you’d been a Marine, I would have brought you some crayons. No, listen…”
“I love you,” he interjected as the pair laughed about her military jest. “I want to hug you.”
“You can’t do that,” the woman said, looking over to the other agents.
“Oh, I could,” the agent said, adding he would not mind.
“I would let you,” she responded. “You can hug me. I would embrace it. If you would hug me.”
“I will,” he said. “Come over.”
A Border Patrol agent hugged an anti-immigration enforcement protester Thursday in Minnesota. (Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful)
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The agent walked out of his line of formation, toward the woman, and hugged her as she smiled.
“We have a heart, you know what I mean,” the agent said.
“Take off all that s— and come over here,” she said, drawing more giggles from the agent. “Come with me, I’ve got a safe house.”
“I can’t,” the agent politely responded. “I have to retire. … In three years I’m going to retire. I want my retirement benefits.”
The pair went on to discuss race after the woman made a comment about what the agent should do if he sees “a Brown-skinned person,” seemingly referring to racial profiling.
The agent held out his uncovered hands, showing he was not White.
Protesters gathered in Minnesota after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed Wednesday by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. (Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful)
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“What are you, the force of immigrants?” the woman, who is White, countered while panning the line of Border Patrol agents. “I want all of you guys that have immigrant families to write your mother and grandmother and tell them that you love them and you’re sorry for the job you’re doing. Alright, they’re worried about you. They are. Am I lying? No.”
The encounter came one day after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE agent while allegedly attempting to drive into him during an immigration operation.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials described the shooting as an act of “self-defense,” while Democrats labeled the shooting a “murder.”
While charges have not been filed against the agent for any wrongdoing, the fatal shooting, which was caught on video, sparked nationwide protests.
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The discussion between the female protester and the Border Patrol agent ended with the woman urging the agent not to support ICE.
“You don’t have to do this,” she said. “And if you do want to stay in Border Patrol, for God’s sake, quit protecting ICE.”