A Woodbury real estate agent says he was detained for six hours and placed in leg irons by federal immigration officers after he used his mobile phone to record their activities in south Minneapolis. The man, Ryan Ecklund, was released without charges and is now speaking out about the experience, which he believes was a violation of his constitutional rights.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, began in a grocery store parking lot and ended with Ecklund being held at a federal detention facility for several hours before his release.
Key Takeaways
- A Woodbury, Minnesota resident was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after filming them in public.
- The man, Ryan Ecklund, was held for approximately six hours and placed in leg irons at the Whipple Detention Center.
- Ecklund states he was pulled from his vehicle by federal agents after following them for a short period.
- He was released later the same day without being charged with any crime.
A Routine Morning Turns into a Federal Detention
For Ryan Ecklund, a real estate agent from Woodbury, the day began like any other. After dropping his son off at school, he noticed an immigration patrol vehicle in the parking lot of a local grocery store. He stated that the presence of the agents prompted a feeling of fear and intimidation.
Motivated by these feelings, Ecklund decided to follow the agents from a distance and record their actions using his phone. He described his actions as passive observation, emphasizing that he did not use his car's horn or lights to draw attention to himself. He eventually pulled into a nearby parking spot to continue observing.
According to Ecklund, the situation escalated when the federal agents noticed him. He reports that they blocked his vehicle in and one of the officers took a photograph of him before leaving the area.
An Escalating Encounter
The interaction did not end there. Ecklund said the agents then drove from the commercial area directly into his residential neighborhood. He interpreted this action as a deliberate attempt to intimidate him.
"In a clear effort to show me that they know who I am and they know where I live,” Ecklund said, describing his perception of the agents' maneuver.
After continuing to follow the agents for another six to seven minutes, the encounter came to a head. Ecklund reports that federal agents approached his vehicle, opened his car door, unclipped his seat belt, and forcibly removed him from the driver's seat.
The Right to Record Law Enforcement
The right to film police and federal agents in public spaces is generally protected by the First Amendment. Multiple U.S. Circuit Courts have affirmed this right, provided that the act of recording does not interfere with law enforcement duties. This principle allows citizens to document the public activities of government officials as a form of oversight and accountability.
Six Hours in Custody
Following his removal from the car, Ecklund was transported to a federal facility. He described the vehicle as an unmarked passenger van.
"I was escorted in an unmarked sort of passenger van to the Whipple Detention Center. I was put into a set of leg irons and put into a detention cell for approximately three hours."
Ecklund stated that he was held in the detention cell before being interviewed by an official from the Department of Homeland Security. In total, he was in custody for approximately six hours before being released.
Despite the unnerving experience, Ecklund said he remained confident he would not face legal consequences. "I knew that I wouldn’t be arrested or charged because I hadn’t done anything wrong," he explained.
Timeline of the Incident
- Morning, Jan. 13: Ryan Ecklund drops his son at school and observes ICE agents.
- Following Observation: He follows and records the agents for several minutes.
- Detention: Ecklund is pulled from his vehicle and transported to a detention center.
- Custody Duration: He is held for approximately 6 hours, including 3 hours in a cell with leg irons.
- Release: Ecklund is interviewed and released without any charges filed against him.
A Citizen's Responsibility
Ecklund maintains that his actions were not those of a political activist but rather those of a concerned citizen exercising his rights. He asserts that his detention was an overreach by federal authorities and a violation of his fundamental freedoms.
"My goal isn’t to become a political activist," he clarified. "It is our responsibility as citizens, whichever side of the aisle you lean toward, to protect the Constitution, and we are all given inalienable rights via that Constitution."
This incident raises important questions about the rights of citizens to observe and document the activities of federal law enforcement officers. While the legal precedent generally supports the right to record in public, interactions on the ground can be complex and tense.
Federal officials have been contacted for comment regarding this incident and the detention of other observers but have not yet provided a response.
