Democratic governors from multiple states called for unified action against federal immigration enforcement operations after Border Patrol and ICE agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis within three weeks.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker issued the strongest call for cross-party cooperation Saturday following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse at a VA hospital. Pretti was killed by a Border Patrol agent during protests over aggressive immigration enforcement in the city.
“We must put a stop to Trump’s ICE. Now. Stop the funding, stop the occupations, stop the killings,” Pritzker wrote on social media. “I am asking my fellow Republican and Democratic Governors across the nation to have a unified response. We must all stand against the lawlessness being inflicted in our states.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called Saturday’s shooting “another horrific outcome from a federal operation that has clearly spun out of control.”
“Americans have had enough of lawless conduct masquerading as enforcement,” Hochul wrote. “President Trump is responsible for putting a stop to it.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he reached out to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after the shooting, describing recent incidents as part of a pattern rather than isolated events.
“Again and again, we see that ICE lacks accountability and agents lack training for the operations they’re being sent on,” Moore wrote. “This reckless pattern of violence carried out by the Department of Homeland Security is endangering our communities. Not protecting them.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom accused President Trump of making “a shooting happen” after hundreds of thousands marched peacefully in Minneapolis in subzero temperatures. Newsom called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation and the firing of Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.
The Pretti shooting marked the second fatal incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis this month. On Jan. 7, ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good, 37, during what federal officials described as a traffic stop. Local officials have disputed the federal account of both shootings.
Videos from Saturday’s incident show Pretti holding a phone and trying to protect women protesters being pushed by agents. The Department of Homeland Security claimed Pretti was armed and assaulted agents. Pretti’s family rejected this characterization.
“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” the family said in a statement. “He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed.”
Minnesota Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record other than traffic violations. Minnesota allows the open carrying of firearms with a permit.
Even some Republican officials expressed concern. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, while placing blame on Democratic leadership in Minnesota, said the White House needs to “recalibrate” its approach. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana called the events “incredibly disturbing” and said “the credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake.”
White House Border Czar Tom Homan traveled to Minneapolis Thursday for meetings with Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats who have called for federal agents to leave the city. Homan pledged a “draw down” of agents but said withdrawal depends on state cooperation.
The tensions in Minneapolis have sparked nationwide protests and renewed debate over immigration enforcement tactics under the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge, which began in December.
