A Department of Homeland Security report submitted to Congress has provided new details regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The document, obtained by major news networks, contradicts earlier administration claims about the incident, stating that Pretti was not brandishing a weapon at the time.
Scrutiny Over Federal Conduct in Minnesota
As federal immigration crackdowns continued across Minnesota this week, the DHS report to Congress has intensified scrutiny over the conduct of Customs and Border Protection personnel. According to the report, which outlines the initial investigation into the shooting, CBP agents attempted to take Pretti into custody, leading to a struggle.
During this altercation, a border patrol agent reportedly shouted "He's got a gun!" multiple times. Approximately five seconds later, both a border patrol agent and a CBP officer discharged their firearms at Pretti, resulting in his death. The report notably does not support claims made by administration officials that Pretti had been "brandishing" a weapon.
Political Fallout and Presidential Response
The release of this report comes amidst growing political backlash against the federal immigration operations in Minnesota. Videos circulating online showing aggressive behaviour by federal agents have fueled public criticism and calls for accountability.
Despite mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment over her handling of immigration operations and the department's response to the killings of Pretti and Renee Good, President Donald Trump has indicated he will not dismiss her. "I think she's doing a very good job. The border is totally secure," Trump stated, defending his administration's approach.
In a related development, Trump has suggested he may begin reducing the numbers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other federal personnel deployed in Minnesota, though specific timelines or details remain unclear.
Attack on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
In a separate but related incident in Minneapolis, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unidentified substance by a man wielding a syringe during a town hall event on Tuesday. The assailant, who began shouting before spraying the liquid, was quickly tackled by security personnel and arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault.
Omar, who was calling for the abolition of ICE "for good" at the event, insisted on continuing the town hall despite the attack. "I learned at a young age that you don't give into threats," she declared afterwards, demonstrating resilience in the face of intimidation.
Context of Targeted Attacks
This incident represents the latest in a series of threats and xenophobic attacks directed at Omar, who has frequently been targeted by President Trump and his supporters. Trump has previously suggested Omar should be "sent back to Somalia" despite her status as a naturalised US citizen for more than twenty-five years, having arrived in the country as a twelve-year-old refugee.
In an interview with the Guardian last month, Omar discussed the significant increase in death threats she has received since Trump's re-election, highlighting the dangerous climate facing politicians who challenge administration policies.
Wider Implications and Technological Concerns
Beyond the immediate incidents in Minnesota, a lawsuit filed by Illinois and Chicago against the Department of Homeland Security has revealed concerning technological developments in immigration enforcement. According to the legal action, DHS has deployed a facial recognition smartphone application called Mobile Fortify more than 100,000 times since its launch in approximately June 2025.
This app, which allows agents to scan faces and fingerprints in the field, represents a significant expansion of surveillance capabilities that civil liberties advocates argue requires greater oversight and regulation.
The convergence of these events in Minneapolis highlights the complex and often volatile intersection of immigration policy, law enforcement practices, and political rhetoric in contemporary America. As investigations continue and political debates intensify, the human impact of these policies remains at the forefront of national discussion.
