A federal law enforcement operation at a St. Paul manufacturer prompted a large response by observers and protesters on Tuesday morning.

Federal agents wearing clothing marked “FBI,” “DEA” and “HSI” — Homeland Security Investigations, part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — were seen at Bro-Tex Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of cloth and paper wipes. It was not immediately clear what prompted the operation.

MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox, who was on the scene.