Recent incidents in Minneapolis involving Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE) agents have sparked a national debate over the agency’s use of force and its relationship with local communities. Following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and the wounding of Renée Nicole Good, scrutiny is intensifying over the tactics employed during ICE’s “Metro Surge” operations and a subsequent leadership reshuffle. This report examines the events in Minneapolis, the legal framework governing ICE’s actions, and the growing public backlash-including a notable response from the entertainment industry-that is challenging the agency’s authority.
A series of incidents in Minneapolis in January sparked protests and legal debate after federal agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) engaged in forceful operations as part of a program called “Metro Surge.” The events highlight the increasingly fraught relationship between federal immigration enforcement and local communities in the United States.
On January 24, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, died after being shot by two federal agents during an encounter. This followed an earlier incident on January 26, where ICE agents shot and wounded Renée Nicole Good, 37, while she was in her car. Witnesses say Good was attempting to document the operation and move away from the situation. Both incidents have fueled tensions and raised questions about the use of force by federal agents.
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ICE was established in 2003 as a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), created in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to Roland Balogh. The creation of DHS was a broad response to the attacks, increasing security measures across the United States. ICE’s mandate includes investigating immigration violations, arresting and deporting migrants, and combating transnational crime, including human and weapons trafficking, and money laundering.
“It’s important to remember that ICE is not a ‘military’ organization, but a federal law enforcement agency. As such, the rules governing the use of force by ICE agents are not determined arbitrarily by them, but are regulated by the Constitution, among other things.”
Balogh explained that the use of force by law enforcement is only lawful when it is objectively “necessary” and “proportionate” to the situation – a standard of “reasonableness” defined by constitutional law. DHS guidelines also regulate the use of firearms, generally prohibiting the use of force intended to incapacitate, except in rare circumstances. A 2023 government investigation found that ICE agents are only permitted to fire warning shots in exceptional cases, even at moving vehicles.
Whether ICE actions are lawful will be determined by internal investigations and reviews by the Department of Justice, which can involve the FBI, Balogh said. “Based on publicly available footage, it will be difficult to defend the actions taken in the case of Alex Pretti,” he noted. Even Fox News, a conservative-leaning news outlet, has reported that the Department of Justice is investigating whether Pretti’s death was the result of an accidental shooting. ICE maintains that the shooting occurred after agents disarmed Pretti and his weapon discharged.
Agents Have Avoided Prosecution in Past Incidents
According to an investigative report, ICE agents used deadly force 59 times between 2015 and 2021, encompassing the final years of the Obama administration, the Trump presidency, and the first year of the Biden administration.
During that period, eight ICE agents were charged with crimes related to firearms incidents. However, charges were dropped in five cases, one resulted in a settlement, and as of late 2024, two cases remain unresolved. No ICE agent has ever been convicted of unlawful or unjustified use of force.
Top Commander Reassigned
Gregory Bovino, former commander of ICE and the Border Patrol, became a prominent figure during the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies, particularly in Minneapolis. He oversaw large-scale raids in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Minnesota, and actively used social media to promote his actions.
Bovino often wore a long, dark, military-style coat, which drew criticism from foreign analysts and politicians who noted visual similarities to the uniforms of Nazi SS units.
This criticism reflects broader opposition to aggressive immigration enforcement and perceived militarization of the agency.
While the Trump administration did not formally reprimand Bovino, the tragic events in Minneapolis – the deaths of two civilians during federal raids, particularly the shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti – sparked widespread local and international outrage. Video footage and witness accounts contradicted the administration’s initial narrative, which portrayed Pretti as a dangerous assailant.
Gregory Bovino was reassigned from Minneapolis
In response to the backlash and congressional criticism, Trump announced that Bovino would be removed from his position in Minneapolis and replaced by Tom Homan, another hardline border security official. Bovino has returned to his previous post in California, where he is expected to retire soon.
The decision does not signal a reversal of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, but rather a tactical adjustment in response to public outcry and political pressure. Trump and his administration sought to de-escalate the situation in Minneapolis while maintaining a strong stance on immigration enforcement.
Entertainment Industry Mobilizes
The events in Minneapolis have ignited resistance to ICE on social media, with numerous celebrities actively participating. The shootings have galvanized public opinion, and several stars have publicly condemned ICE’s use of force and the Trump administration’s policies. Figures like Billie Eilish, Katy Perry, Edward Norton, Mark Ruffalo, Pedro Pascal, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Whoopi Goldberg have used social media posts, videos, and public statements to raise awareness, many wearing “ICE Out” badges and encouraging their fans to take action.
Natalie Portman and Mark Ruffalo are actively campaigning against ICE funding
Their key message goes beyond criticism: many are urging their followers to take concrete political action, such as contacting their senators and urging them to reject efforts to further fund ICE or even abolish the agency.
This celebrity activism differs from traditional star statements in that it encourages action, not just symbolic protest: scripts and information are shared on how to directly reach lawmakers, which is a form of political lobbying.
This online campaign has become an integral part of the broader social reaction to ICE following the events in Minneapolis, extending the political debate from activists to legislative levels.
The political repercussions of these events, however, extend far beyond Minneapolis and ICE’s operations. The next part of our series will examine the potential personal responsibility of Donald Trump in the escalating violence, the realism of further deepening internal conflicts – even towards a “cold civil war” – and the open and behind-the-scenes power struggles unfolding between the federal government and state governors.
