Border Patrol detains two Target employees at Richfield store, sparking staff concerns

Two men were detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Richfield Target store on Jan. 8, an episode captured on bystander video that shows federal agents taking two people into custody in the store vestibule. State Rep. Michael Howard has said both individuals were U.S. citizens; both were later released. Federal officials say one person was arrested on allegations of assaulting officers, though some details about the encounter remain disputed.

Target's chief human resources officer sent an internal email the same day that referenced the incident as "events in our hometown" and told employees the company was monitoring the situation, prioritizing safety and following applicable laws and regulations. The message did not share operational details about interactions between federal agents and store personnel, leaving many frontline workers with unanswered questions about how to respond if law enforcement shows up again.

Local residents and community groups staged a protest at the Richfield store on Jan. 10, demanding that Target restrict immigration-enforcement access to private or employee-only areas, provide staff training on handling encounters with federal agents, and issue a public statement. Protesters and store employees said the episode heightened anxiety among workers who regularly interact with the public on the sales floor, in vestibules and at registers.

Legally, federal immigration agents may enter areas of a business open to the public without a warrant. Guidance from the Minnesota attorney general points out that businesses can help limit warrantless entry by posting signs and clearly designating private or employee-only spaces such as stockrooms, back offices and break areas. That creates a practical distinction between public access points and spaces where employers can lawfully insist on a warrant or other legal paperwork before allowing entry.

For Target employees, the incident raises immediate workplace questions: who in the store is responsible for dealing with law enforcement, what documentation staff may request, and how managers and HR will support employees who feel threatened or unsure about their rights. Loss prevention associates, team leads and HR business partners will likely be involved in shaping new protocols; for many hourly workers the concern is less about policy language than about safety on the floor during busy shifts.

Our two cents? If you work in-store, ask your manager or HRBP for a clear point of contact for law enforcement interactions, request training on how to handle agents in public areas and private back rooms, and encourage your store to post employee-only signage where appropriate. Employers can reduce confusion and fear by spelling out roles, rights and communication channels before the next unexpected confrontation.