Prominent Minnesota business executives on Sunday urged for an “immediate easing of tensions” following the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal immigration officials.
Over 60 CEOs from Minnesota-based companies endorsed a letter that appealed “to state, local, and federal representatives to collaborate towards actionable solutions.” The firms indicated that the recent upheaval in Minnesota has led to “widespread disruption and tragic loss of life.”
Among the signatories to the letter disseminated by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce are newly appointed Target CEO Michael Fiddelke; William Brown, the chairman and CEO of 3M; Brian Sikes, the chair and CEO of Cargill; and Stephen Hemsley, the CEO of UnitedHealth.
“In these challenging times for our community, we advocate for harmony and concentrated collaboration between local, state, and federal leaders to forge a prompt and lasting resolution that allows families, enterprises, our workforce, and communities throughout Minnesota to resume our efforts to create a bright and thriving future,” the letter states.
Other endorsers include the Minnesota Vikings, Mayo Clinic, General Mills, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Hormel, Medtronic, U.S. Bancorp, and Xcel Energy.
The letter did not directly mention President Donald Trump or any other political figures connected to the Minnesota situation. Business executives nationwide have generally been hesitant to publicly address political matters during Trump’s second term.
Yet, it does mention that “representatives from Minnesota’s business sector have been actively collaborating behind the scenes with federal, state, and local officials to promote genuine solutions.”
“These initiatives have involved direct communication with the Governor, the White House, the Vice President, and local mayors. We can find ways to unite for progress,” the letter asserts.
Minnesota hosts 17 Fortune 500 companies, according to the state’s government. It ranks fifth in Fortune 500 density per capita.
The letter follows the day after federal agents shot and killed Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse in Minneapolis.
The Trump administration has deployed additional federal law enforcement to the city to enforce its immigration policies and investigate claims of extensive welfare fraud in the state.
Pretti’s death is the most recent event in a fraught confrontation between Minnesota officials and federal immigration agents that has ignited unrest within the area. Earlier this month, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, has continually urged the Trump administration to retract federal law enforcement from the state. The administration has resisted those requests, placing blame on the state’s Democratic leadership for hindering their initiatives.
“President Trump, you can resolve this today,” Walz stated during a Sunday press conference. “Withdraw these individuals, implement humane, targeted, effective immigration control, and you have our collective support to do so.”
Meanwhile, Gregory Bovino, the leader of the Border Patrol operation in Minnesota, reaffirmed the federal government’s stance.
“Our title eight immigration mission remains ongoing here in Minneapolis, regardless of the preventable tragedy that occurred yesterday, resulting from misguided choices by several parties, including politicians, journalists, and would-be anarchists and rioters,” Bovino expressed.
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