A leading US immigration authority is anticipated to depart from Minneapolis, possibly indicating a change in the White House’s approach following the deadly shooting of a second US citizen by federal agents over the weekend.
With Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and several immigration officials set to leave, “border tsar” Tom Homan is poised to spearhead field operations in the Minnesota city after the shooting of Alex Pretti on Saturday heightened tensions.
President Donald Trump’s decision may reflect the administration’s intention to scale back more forceful federal measures in its nationwide immigration enforcement.
Notwithstanding the announcement, online tracking indicates immigration raids have persisted.
Bovino was instrumental in the operation during the incident involving Pretti – an onlooker who was seen recording agents – which led to his being shot multiple times on a street in Minneapolis.
The border control chief exacerbated the ground situation in the wake of the shooting, asserting that Pretti aimed to “massacre” federal agents.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the agents fired in self-defense after Pretti, whom they claimed had a firearm, resisted their attempts to disarm him on Saturday.
Witnesses, local leaders, and the victim’s family have disputed that narrative, highlighting that Pretti held a phone instead of a weapon. His parents have accused the administration of disseminating “disturbing falsehoods” regarding the incident.
Prior to the shooting, Bovino was pivotal to the Trump administration’s hardline stance on immigration enforcement across several cities, actively engaging on social media and regularly documenting raids along with promotional videos showcasing his agents’ operations.
Homan, who will report straight to the president, supports Trump’s vigorous immigration enforcement policies. However, he also has experience in similar roles, having dealt with immigration and deportations during Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration.
On Monday in Minneapolis, anxiety and frustration regarding the presence of federal officials remained high, even with the news of Bovino and some agents’ departure.
“Many people can’t work right now, are unable to leave their homes, and are scared,” remarked George Cordero, a resident of St Paul, Minneapolis’ sister city.
Pretti was the second Minneapolis local shot and killed by federal immigration officials since their arrival in the area; Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on January 7.
Some reports on Monday indicated that Bovino had been dismissed from his position, but Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin denied that, asserting that the border patrol chief “is an integral part of the President’s team and a commendable American.”
Much of the outrage in the city and among politicians across the spectrum was directed at Bovino and the border patrol agents deployed to Minneapolis alongside ICE agents at Trump’s orders. In total, over 3,000 immigration agents are present in the city.
Carol Engelheart, a retired nurse from Minneapolis, expressed deep emotional turmoil over the recent events.
“We must care about this nation, we need to ensure that our Constitution remains intact, and if people unite and stand up, we can achieve this,” she stated, while criticizing immigration enforcement activities in the city.
Micayla Pretti, Alex Pretti’s younger sister, issued a statement on Monday, as reported by the Associated Press, referring to her brother as “my hero.”
“When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be taken before we declare enough?” her statement read.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Monday that it is the president’s “desire and demand for the unrest and disorder” in Minneapolis to cease.
Trump ally Republican Senator Lindsey Graham labeled Trump’s choice to dispatch Homan to Minneapolis “a very astute decision.”
Additionally, on Monday, Trump conversed with both Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey – democratic leaders who have opposed the immigration initiatives and insisted on the removal of agents from the state. Trump has criticized both in the past weeks.
Both Trump and the local officials described the discussions as constructive and indicated they explored a path forward – a sign that both parties were aiming at resolving their impasse over Trump’s deportation campaign.
Trump mentioned that he and Walz are “in agreement” and specified his focus on “any and all offenders in their possession.”
“The President agreed to consider diminishing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and to consult with DHS about guaranteeing that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension can carry out an independent investigation, as is typically the case,” said Walz after the call.
Securing an independent inquiry into Pretti’s death has been a primary concern for Walz. Following the incident, local authorities acquired a judicial warrant to access the crime scene to preserve evidence.
Local officials have denounced the federal investigation and claimed they were being barred from accessing the crime scene and evidence after Pretti’s death.
This reaction was rooted in the aftermath of Good’s shooting, when local and state authorities reported being excluded from the inquiry by federal immigration agents.
Utah Senator John Curtis, a Republican, released a statement calling for a “clear and independent inquiry into the Minnesota shooting.”
“Those accountable—regardless of their title—must face consequences,” he stated.
Tributes for Pretti – a 37-year-old ICU nurse – and protests against ICE activities continued on Monday night, including one organized outside the venue where Bovino was reportedly staying. About a hundred protesters gathered there loudly demanding the border control commander vacate the city.
More memorial services and protests are scheduled for the upcoming days.
On Tuesday, Frey announced his intention to meet with Homan to “discuss the next steps,” marking the first in-person conversation between federal and local officials since Bovino’s departure was confirmed.
