Federal Presence in Minneapolis Scaled Back After Fatal Shooting
Minneapolis, MN – The Trump administration and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are working to scale down the surge of federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, by Border Patrol agents. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, January 24, has sparked national outrage and raised concerns within the Department of Homeland Security, according to multiple sources.
The shooting of Pretti followed another fatal shooting earlier in January, when an ICE officer killed Renee Good in the same city, according to Vox. These incidents have fueled criticism of the increased federal presence in Minneapolis, which began earlier this month.
According to Vox, video evidence suggests that Pretti was unarmed at the time of the shooting. The agents involved were equipped with body cameras, and the footage is under review. The circumstances surrounding Pretti's death indicate that he was pepper-sprayed, beaten, and forced onto his knees before being shot.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement after Pretti's death, indicating that Senate Democrats are determined to force changes to the Trump administration's immigration policies, even if it means risking a government shutdown, according to Vox.
The increased federal activity in Minneapolis has drawn criticism from various quarters. Minnesota's Secretary of State suggested over the weekend that the Trump administration was attempting to leverage the situation, potentially demanding voter data in exchange for reducing the federal presence, according to Vox.
The situation remains fluid, but sources indicate that some federal agents are expected to leave Minneapolis as part of the agreement between the Trump administration and Governor Walz, CBS News reports.
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