By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON -  Clashes between protesters and federal immigration agents have continued in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following the shooting death of Alex Pretti by ICE/Border Patrol agents during an enforcement operation on January 24, igniting widespread unrest and community outrage.

Demonstrators reportedly confronted federal agents in multiple locations, heightening tensions across the Twin Cities and prompting calls for the removal of federal immigration operations.

In Minneapolis, large crowds have gathered at the scene where Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was fatally shot by federal agents; eyewitnesses and bystander footage sharply contradict official accounts, showing Pretti unarmed and attempting to intervene on behalf of others when he was pinned to the ground before being shot.

Protesters have protested into subzero temperatures, chanting “ICE out now” and “Justice for Alex Pretti,” while dragging dumpsters into streets and erecting memorials for Pretti and an earlier victim, Renee Good, who was killed in a separate Border Patrol encounter earlier in January.

Across the city, demonstrators faced off with Border Patrol and ICE officers during attempts by federal authorities to maintain their presence near City View Apartments in north Minneapolis, where tense verbal confrontations were reported between officers and residents.

- Protesters storms Hotel in St. Paul

The unrest spilled into neighboring St. Paul on Sunday when anti-ICE protesters stormed the Home2 Suites by Hilton, believing it was housing ICE or Border Patrol agents following the federal operation that led to Pretti’s death.

Demonstrators vandalized the hotel, shattered windows, and scrawled graffiti as law enforcement, including state patrol and federal agents, responded with tear gas and flash-bang devices to disperse the crowd. At least one federal agent was injured, and several protesters were detained; authorities have not confirmed whether ICE personnel were present at the hotel.

Local Reactions and Broader Impact

Minnesota officials have sharply criticized federal actions. Governor Tim Walz said he has “no confidence” in federal leadership’s handling of the situation and has pushed for state-led investigations into the shootings and operational conduct of federal officers.

City and county attorneys have sought legal orders to preserve evidence related to Pretti’s death and to limit federal operations.

Community activists and businesses have mobilized in response to ongoing tensions. In an unprecedented move, more than 60 leading Minnesota corporate CEOs, including leaders from major companies, issued a letter calling for “immediate de-escalation” and a collaborative approach to restoring peace in the region.

Allegations of Inhumane Detention Conditions

In addition to street protests, immigration advocacy groups and social media posts allege leaked footage from a Baltimore ICE facility shows detainees confined in overcrowded, inhumane conditions for extended periods, far beyond the typical 12-hour limit, raising further concerns over federal enforcement practices under the current Trump administration.

These claims have amplified calls from civil rights supporters nationwide for increased transparency and humanitarian oversight of detention operations.

The flare-up in Minneapolis has reignited national debate over federal immigration enforcement tactics, with protests and solidarity demonstrations also reported in cities including New York, Washington, and Los Angeles.

Critics argue that aggressive ICE and Border Patrol actions erode trust in law enforcement and disproportionately impact communities of color, while supporters of federal action maintain that the operations are part of a broader effort to enforce immigration laws.

As the situation evolves, community leaders and lawmakers continue to urge calm, transparency, and accountability, even as many residents remain deeply angry and distrustful of federal agents operating in their neighborhoods.