Two immigration agents may have made untruthful statements in sworn testimony about the shooting of a migrant in Minneapolis last month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has said. ICE acting director Todd Lyons said the two officers, who have not been named, were immediately placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Lying under oath is a serious federal offense, Lyons said. On Friday, a judge granted a request to drop charges against two men who were accused of attacking the officers.

The Department of Homeland Security initially said a federal officer shot a man in the leg after being attacked with a shovel and broom handle by three migrants on January 14. However, Lyons stated the officers appeared to have provided inaccurate testimony based on newly surfaced video evidence, and the US attorney's office is actively investigating.

Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution, Lyons added. This contentious incident involves a Venezuelan national, whose altercation with the officers triggered the shooting, which has been characterized as a defensive action taken during an assault.