Controversy Surrounds Border Patrol Operations in Minneapolis

On January 7, 2026, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, Alex Pretti, was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a targeted immigration operation. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. near 26th Street West and Nicollet Avenue, where federal agents were attempting to apprehend an individual suspected of being in the country illegally. According to Gregory Bovino, a commander with the Department of Homeland Security, Pretti approached the agents while armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him. Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene, marking the third shooting involving federal agents since the initiation of "Operation Metro Surge" in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis shooting: What we know about the Border Patrol agent who shot manGavin Newsom says California works with ICE on 'removing criminals' not 'hardworking immigrants'Bovino Says Federal Agents Are ‘Experts in Dealing With Children’Bovino says Border Patrol agents are ‘experts in dealing with children’Trench coat Newsom described as ‘SS garb’ is ‘Border Patrol-issued,’ Bovino says

Gregory Bovino defended the actions of the Border Patrol agents, stating that they are trained to handle such situations. He emphasized the experience of the agent involved, who has eight years of service. However, conflicting accounts have emerged regarding Pretti's actions during the incident. While DHS officials claim he was armed and posed a threat, footage from the shooting does not show him holding a weapon. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed that Pretti was a U.S. citizen with a legal permit to carry a firearm.

Minneapolis shooting: What we know about the Border Patrol agent who shot manGavin Newsom says California works with ICE on 'removing criminals' not 'hardworking immigrants'Bovino Says Federal Agents Are ‘Experts in Dealing With Children’Bovino says Border Patrol agents are ‘experts in dealing with children’Trench coat Newsom described as ‘SS garb’ is ‘Border Patrol-issued,’ Bovino says

In response to the shooting, hundreds of protesters gathered, expressing outrage over the federal agents' presence and tactics in the community.

Minneapolis shooting: What we know about the Border Patrol agent who shot man

The detention of a 5-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, alongside his father, has also drawn significant public criticism. Liam was apprehended during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, which advocates argue reflects a broader pattern of mistreatment of children by Homeland Security agents. Bovino stated that Liam is currently in a Texas detention center and is being “well cared for,” asserting that Border Patrol agents are experienced in handling children. However, critics, including Elora Mukherjee from Columbia Law School, argue that the agency has a history of failing to provide adequate care for minors in detention.

Bovino says Border Patrol agents are ‘experts in dealing with children’Bovino Says Federal Agents Are ‘Experts in Dealing With Children’Minneapolis shooting: What we know about the Border Patrol agent who shot manGavin Newsom says California works with ICE on 'removing criminals' not 'hardworking immigrants'Trench coat Newsom described as ‘SS garb’ is ‘Border Patrol-issued,’ Bovino says

The controversy has extended to California, where Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Bovino's comments regarding the state's cooperation with ICE. Newsom's office clarified that California collaborates with ICE to remove convicted criminals from state prisons but does not assist in broader immigration enforcement actions that target undocumented individuals. Newsom condemned the tactics used by federal agents in Minneapolis, calling them harmful to communities.

Gavin Newsom says California works with ICE on 'removing criminals' not 'hardworking immigrants'Trench coat Newsom described as ‘SS garb’ is ‘Border Patrol-issued,’ Bovino saysBovino Says Federal Agents Are ‘Experts in Dealing With Children’Bovino says Border Patrol agents are ‘experts in dealing with children’Minneapolis shooting: What we know about the Border Patrol agent who shot man

Discrepancies exist regarding the circumstances of Liam's detention. While DHS officials claim that Liam's father fled, leaving the child behind, school officials allege that immigration agents used Liam as "bait" to apprehend others. Furthermore, the father’s legal status remains contested, with some sources indicating he had an active asylum claim, while others suggest he had been ordered to leave the country.

Bovino says Border Patrol agents are ‘experts in dealing with children’

The ongoing tensions surrounding Border Patrol operations in Minneapolis and the treatment of detainees, particularly children, are likely to continue as public scrutiny increases. The situation raises questions about the effectiveness and ethics of current immigration enforcement strategies, particularly in urban areas.

Bovino says Border Patrol agents are ‘experts in dealing with children’