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Several Republican lawmakers have joined Democrats in criticising the conduct of US immigration agents in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, by a US Border Patrol officer on Saturday.
Pretti’s death marks the second fatal shooting of a US citizen by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis within a month. Earlier in January, Renée Good was killed during an encounter with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, sparking widespread public anger and protests.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana described Pretti’s killing as “deeply troubling,” warning that the credibility of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was now “on the line.” Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski echoed those concerns, saying the incident raised “serious questions” about the training and preparedness of immigration enforcement officers.
While Republicans have largely supported President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement agenda—including approving a major funding boost for ICE last year—the deaths in Minneapolis have prompted unease within the party, particularly amid fears of political backlash from core supporters.
Why Minneapolis Has Become a Focal Point
Minneapolis and neighbouring Saint Paul were targeted late last year as part of Trump’s pledge to intensify action against undocumented migrants. In December, ICE launched what it described as its largest-ever enforcement operation in the Twin Cities, aimed at arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants.
That operation expanded in January with the deployment of thousands of additional federal agents, including Border Patrol officers.
Trump has repeatedly singled out Minnesota’s Somali community, the largest Somali-American population in the United States. Although many are US citizens by birth or naturalisation, the president has used inflammatory language in recent months, accusing Somali residents of criminal behaviour and fraud. Advocacy groups, including the Immigrant Law Centre of Minnesota, have condemned these remarks as discriminatory and misleading.
The administration has cited past fraud cases in Minnesota as justification for the crackdown, particularly the “Feeding Our Future” scandal, in which US$250 million in federal child nutrition funds were stolen. The scheme’s founder, Aimee Bock, was convicted last year, along with more than 50 others. While some defendants were Somali Americans, state officials have rejected claims that the fraud was community-wide.
Minnesota Attorney-General Keith Ellison criticised the federal response, saying the operation appeared more focused on intimidation than financial crime investigation. “If this were about fraud, forensic accountants would be leading it,” he said. “Instead, we’re seeing armed, masked agents.”
Series of January Shootings Raises Alarm
Pretti’s death was one of five shootings involving federal immigration agents nationwide in January. Renée Good was shot dead on 7 January while sitting in her car during an ICE operation. Video footage shows masked officers approaching her vehicle before it drove away, at which point an officer fired at close range.
Although officials claimed the officer was injured and that Good attempted to run him over, video evidence did not clearly support those assertions. Good’s family said she had just dropped off her six-year-old child at school and had stopped to assist neighbours.
Gun Rights Groups React to Pretti Case
Video recordings from witnesses show Pretti holding a mobile phone and attempting to assist protesters who had been pushed to the ground before officers forced him to kneel. Officials later claimed he assaulted agents, a claim disputed by available footage.
Authorities confirmed Pretti was legally carrying a firearm at the time. Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino argued that agents were the victims, but acknowledged he could not provide evidence that Pretti interfered with law enforcement operations.
The emphasis on Pretti’s gun ownership has alarmed gun rights advocates, traditionally strong supporters of Republicans. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus stated that law-abiding citizens have the right to carry firearms, including while attending protests.
Trump Administration Responds
President Trump told the Wall Street Journal that his administration is reviewing the incidents and would issue a determination. He defended immigration agents, saying they had done “a phenomenal job,” but suggested enforcement priorities in Minneapolis could shift toward financial fraud investigations.
Meanwhile, concerns have resurfaced over accountability measures. The Trump administration previously moved to reduce funding for ICE body cameras and placed staff from internal oversight offices on paid leave. Former ICE official Darius Reeves said body camera programs stalled under President Joe Biden and were effectively abandoned under Trump.
In a statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended ICE officers, saying they act to protect communities and enforce the law. She criticised those blaming law enforcement, arguing such claims benefit criminal elements.
As investigations continue, pressure is mounting on the administration to clarify its use of force policies and restore public trust in federal immigration enforcement.
With additional reporting by the Reuters and Agence France-Presse news agencies.
