It’s time for an independent probe into the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, a city where tensions have been at a boiling point.
We agree with Utah Sen. John Curtis, who has called for a “transparent, independent investigation” into the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, last Saturday. Rep. Blake Moore is also calling for “in-depth investigation” into the shooting.
Curtis is unhappy with how Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem quickly dismissed the incident before the facts were known, something he said “weakened confidence.”
“Officials who rush to judgment before all the facts are known undermine public trust and the law-enforcement mission,” he said. We agree and have written often on these pages of the problem with “instant certainty.”
The administration’s objective, announced before President Trump took office, is to deport all who reside in this country without documentation, and particularly those who have committed crimes. He campaigned on the promise to do so. Many Americans were originally supportive of this effort. But a new poll by Politico shows that 49% of Americans now say that campaign is too aggressive, and that includes 20% of voters who backed Trump in 2024.
The Utah Compact on Immigration
We refer to the Utah Compact, a forward-looking agreement signed by local leaders concerned with the tone of immigration discussions in Utah. Reaffirmed in 2019, it presents five overriding principles, including the need to protect families and to be welcoming to immigrants, and also the need to respect the rule of law.
It provides a blueprint for how immigration issues may be solved with a minimum of anger and distrust. Current events in Minnesota have spiraled far from the spirit of that compact.
The Guardian, using figures ICE has produced, said more than 68,400 people were actively detained as of Dec. 14. The Guardian said immigrants with no criminal record make up the largest percentage of those detained, even though being in the U.S. without documentation is a civil, not a criminal, infraction. The administration has also tried to remove protections from some people living in the country legally. This, too, adds to fear in communities.
An investigation is needed because videos taken of Pretti’s killing clearly contradict the official story to a point that is beyond the pale — officials have accused him of domestic terrorism and brandishing a weapon with the intent of harming officers.
This incident followed the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Good on Jan. 7, another case in which federal authorities quickly provided “facts” that were contradicted by video evidence. The FBI is investigating that case but has not allowed state officials to be included. One FBI agent resigned because he felt the probe was focused more on Good and her partner than on the officer who shot her.
Uncovering the truth
The public deserves the truth and accountability. The overriding question in both these cases is: Were there not alternative ways of handling the situation short of lethal force?
Supporters of the Second Amendment like to argue that it is necessary for citizens to protect themselves from government abuses.
Indeed, that was one of the purposes of the amendment from the beginning of the republic. “The Founding Fathers felt that citizens should be able to protect themselves against the government and any other threat to their wellbeing or personal freedom,” says the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action website.
Pretti had a permit to carry a concealed gun. Video taken at the scene last Saturday shows he made no attempt to unholster the weapon at his side, nor to “brandish” it, as government officials claim he did. In the scuffle between him and several ICE agents, one agent clearly removed the gun from Pretti just before a group of agents shot him at least 10 times in a matter of seconds.
Curtis and Moore are not the only Republicans calling for changes. Others are calling for formal congressional hearings. And some Democrats are talking about again shutting down the government at the end of this month — this time to defund ICE and Homeland Security operations.
In such a climate, continued operations in hot spots are likely to produce more violence, more distrust and more consequences. The public welfare is at risk.
White House softening
There are welcome signs that the White House is getting the message. Trump held what he called “a very good call” with Minnesota’s Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. He also announced that border czar Tom Homan will now head the operation in Minnesota, which is seen as an attempt to ease tensions.
ICE seems to be cooperating with local officials in some other states. And local officials in some states are supporting ICE. However, questions concerning tactics have arisen, including the detention of children and the deportation of Cuban nationals who, because of the Communist government in Havana, had long been granted special legal privileges. In some instances, Afghan refugees who helped the United States during military operations are being arrested.
We urge a pause. It’s time to step back, investigate, and re-evaluate the purposes and objectives of the ICE mission and how it is being accomplished around the nation.