What began on Jan. 24 as an act of protest in Minneapolis, quickly became a violent tragedy when United States citizen Alex Pretti was murdered. Pretti was a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, who was restrained and shot to death after attempting to help a woman who was shoved to the ground by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. This horrific incident presents urgent questions about the use of force by federal agencies, citizen’s rights to freedom of speech and the double standard in how violence is perceived based on the assailant.
ICE has brutally taken eight lives just in the first month of 2026, and so far, the agency has tragically and unnecessarily claimed the lives of two U.S. citizens. The murder of Renee Good occurred on Jan. 7, when ICE agents attempted to pull Good out of her car and ended up shooting her three times. Officials, including the Trump Administration, claim that Good was aiming to run over an agent with her car, but other sources claim that she was just trying to get away from the violent agents. Considering the fact that the ICE agent was seen in the official recording of the attack walking away from the scene unfazed, it seemed as though using his weapon was not a last resort, but a first instinct.
“It’s a heartbreaking situation and I feel so sad for her family, especially her three kids. I can’t imagine what they are going through,” sophomore Sofia Caputo said.
This pattern of injustice led to the murder of Alex Pretti. On that Saturday morning, Pretti had a confrontation with seven ICE officers, starting when he was trying to help up a woman who had been pushed to the floor by the agents. As he attempted to put himself between the two civilians and the ICE agents, he was pepper sprayed in the face multiple times. He was then restrained and brought down to his knees, where an eighth agent shot him four times in close range. Then, after backing away from the scene, two of the originating officers proceeded to shoot him six more times, despite being motionless on the ground.
“Events such as the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis really highlight the ongoing tension between freedom of speech and safety for everyone, which causes urgent concerns regarding the appropriate use of federal authority by ICE,” junior Dairy Villeda said.
This tragic event not only rejuvenated the anger felt by many following Good’s death, but also intensified the public outrage towards the deployment of ICE throughout Minnesota. Protests emerged throughout the country, as the public rightfully calls for the accountability of the officers and clearer laws regarding use of force.
“It is incredibly disheartening to see the violence ICE conducts against U.S. citizens. From hearing of the murder of Renee Good and how that has since snowballed, to how government officials justify the attacks, it leads to question the true intention behind ICE,” sophomore Emma Sarria said.
Immigration laws and how they are enforced are a debated issue throughout the US. However, even those who support strong border laws can agree that how federal agencies enforce these laws should be within the limits of the Constitution, without a question. Possible reforms to ameliorate citizen’s concerns can include the implementation of a mandate for body cameras and means for identification, such as badges. Additionally, protesters call for judicial oversight over ICE, meaning they would need to obtain warrants to enter private properties and detain people.
“I don’t think they should be able to cover their faces. It causes de-individualization which means that since their faces are covered the ICE officers lose self awareness and feel no longer responsible for their own actions,” sophomore Natalia Quick said.
At its core, this is not an argument about immigration but an argument about how safety and civil liberties can coexist. Both should work in tandem to serve the citizens of the country, not undermine their rights and pose a fatal threat to their livelihood.
