Protests continued in Minneapolis and other US cities on Sunday over the fatal shooting by immigration agents of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the situation as an inflection point and reiterated calls for US President Donald Trump to remove federal immigration agents from the city.
In response, President Trump demanded that Minnesota hand over all Criminal Illegal Aliens incarcerated for deportation. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara reported on claims that state officers were blocked from accessing the scene of the shooting by federal agents, thwarting their ability to handle an active criminal investigation.
The protests were characterized by hundreds of demonstrators braving freezing temperatures, chanting for justice and the abolition of ICE. Major businesses in Minnesota, including 3M and Best Buy, have also publicly called for a de-escalation of tensions.
Trump hinted at a potential withdrawal of ICE agents from the Minneapolis area but did not specify a timeline. In the aftermath of Pretti's death, lawmakers remain divided over the circumstances of the shooting and its implications for immigration policy.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated Pretti was shot for allegedly brandishing a gun, a claim that local authorities and eyewitnesses contest. The victim's family has expressed outrage at the portrayal of Pretti as a criminal, clarifying that he had no significant criminal record.
The outcry also reflects a growing discomfort with federal immigration tactics, with some Republican leaders, like Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, criticizing the handling of the situation. Other protests and calls for reform have swelled across cities such as Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, reflecting a national concern over the policies and actions of federal immigration agencies.
