The killing of a nurse by immigration agents has sparked outrage across the United States. The family accuses ICE of murder, while Donald Trump defends his forces. Facing the brutality of the operation, Democrats threaten to block the Department of Homeland Security budget, bringing the country closer to a new shutdown. A new episode of violence shook the United States on January 24. In Minneapolis, federal forces shot dead Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old American citizen, during an operation conducted by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
An intensive care nurse, the man was near an intervention site when he was violently apprehended by federal agents. Videos widely circulated on social media show several agents tackling Pretti to the ground before firing multiple times. At least ten shots were fired while he was already subdued. The images, authenticated by local authorities, have caused a shockwave across the country.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims the man was armed and posed an immediate threat. A photo of a gun was posted on the X network to support this version. But this official narrative is contested by several American media outlets. The New York Times and the investigative collective Bellingcat assert that Alex Pretti was holding a phone, not a weapon, at the time of the intervention. According to their analyses, an agent even retrieved a weapon after the man had been subdued, casting serious doubt on the self-defense claim. Minneapolis police, for their part, confirmed that Alex Pretti had a legal concealed carry permit, no criminal record, and resided in the city. His father stated: “He believed he could peacefully protest to defend others.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey denounced ICE’s presence, calling it an “occupying force” and demanding its immediate withdrawal.
Deep-Rooted Anger, Escalating Repression
Tensions were already at a boiling point before the tragedy. Minneapolis had been experiencing days of protests triggered by a series of controversial ICE operations and the death, earlier in January, of Renee Good, another American woman killed by a federal agent. The slogan “ICE out” was plastered everywhere in the streets, signaling widespread anger at the brutality of federal forces. Alex Pretti’s death has only intensified the mobilization. Massive rallies took place despite extreme cold. Tear gas, stun grenades, and arrests were used to disperse crowds. According to CNN, several protesters were detained, while ICE’s detention of a five-year-old child further fueled outrage. Far from calming tensions, the crackdown has strengthened accusations of systematic abuses.
Donald Trump, for his part, has reaffirmed his full support for ICE. On his Truth Social platform, he accused local elected officials of “inciting insurrection” with their rhetoric. He also claimed that federal operations had led to the arrest of “12,000 illegal criminals” in Minnesota, justifying their continuation.
Washington: Toward Political Standoff
The Pretti case quickly escalated beyond the local level, sparking a political crisis in Washington. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that Democrats would refuse to vote on the federal budget if Department of Homeland Security funding remained unchanged. Democrats accuse the DHS of covering up ICE abuses and demand clear restrictions on its powers. The budget bill requires 60 votes to pass, but Republicans hold only 53. The Democratic refusal now makes a partial government shutdown highly likely as of January 31.
Despite calls for restraint, the White House confirmed that ICE operations would continue. The DHS labeled Alex Pretti a “terrorist” and “potential assassin,” despite contradictory videos and testimonies. His family, backed by several local elected officials, is demanding an independent investigation.