{"id":33790,"date":"2026-01-26T06:51:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T04:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=33790"},"modified":"2026-01-26T07:15:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T05:15:51","slug":"nationwide-protests-erupt-across-us-after-immigration-agents-kill-american-citizen-in-minneapolis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/nationwide-protests-erupt-across-us-after-immigration-agents-kill-american-citizen-in-minneapolis\/","title":{"rendered":"Nationwide protests erupt across US after ICE agents kill American citizen in Minneapolis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

6 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot and killed a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, triggering large-scale protests across the country and sharp condemnations from local and state leaders.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incident marked the second fatal and third shooting of a U.S. citizen by immigration officers in Minneapolis this month and intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement operations in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Homeland Security described the shooting as an act of self-defense, saying a Border Patrol agent fired after a man approached officers with a handgun and violently resisted attempts to disarm him. Video evidence circulating online, however, has raised questions about that account and fueled public anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man killed was identified as 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a registered nurse who worked in the intensive care unit at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, which serves veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large protests spread across U.S. cities on Saturday, including Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, and Providence, Rhode Island. Demonstrations followed a march the day before in Minneapolis, where more than 10,000 people protested the recent surge in immigration enforcement operations in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite subzero temperatures, protesters again took to the streets to denounce ICE and to show support for Pretti and others affected by the crackdown.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Anti-ICE<\/a>
Anti-ICE protesters rally in Long Beach, condemn agents\u2019 killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, U.S., on January 24, 2026. (Image Credit: X\/@LongBeachPost)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cF*ck ICE, ICE out,\u201d crowds shouted in Minneapolis, according to livestream footage. In New York City, thousands gathered in Union Square chanting, \u201cSay it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New York City Council member Chi Osse addressed demonstrators in freezing weather, calling for the abolition of ICE. \u201cWe need Nuremberg trials for the people of ICE, for the people who are committing crimes against humanity here in our country. I refuse to call them law enforcement. They are agents of chaos. They are destroying the fabric of our country,\u201d Osse said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Washington, a large crowd gathered outside the Department of Homeland Security headquarters, chanting \u201cshame\u201d late into the night. In San Francisco, hundreds assembled downtown holding signs reading \u201cstand up fight back\u201d and calling for justice for Pretti and Renee Good, another Minneapolis resident killed by an immigration officer earlier this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds also marched in Los Angeles, where immigration raids over the summer targeted car washes, farms, Home Depot stores, and other workplaces. Protesters held banners reading, \u201cFrom Los Angeles to Minneapolis, stop ICE terror.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Providence, demonstrators rallied outside the local DHS office, chanting \u201cShut it down,\u201d and holding signs reading \u201cNo Tyrants & No Kings\u201d and \u201cICE is the worst of the worst.\u201d In Boston, crowds chanted, \u201cOne, two, three, four, ICE detention no more! Five, six, seven, eight, end the terror and the hate!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Shooting Incident<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to DHS, Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun during an immigration operation. Officials said agents attempted to disarm him and fired after he resisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal agents in Minneapolis wrestled Alex Pretti to the ground and secured the handgun he was carrying moments before shooting him multiple times, according to a Washington Post analysis of video footage.

Read more: https:\/\/t.co\/gs55sapKJH<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0LwulTgqLy<\/a><\/p>— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 25, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>