1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to ensure that local law enforcement in our state investigates shootings by federal immigration agents and holds them accountable when they violate state laws. Recent reporting reveals a disturbing pattern where local police have abdicated their responsibility to investigate federal agents who have killed or injured both citizens and immigrants. Since September, federal immigration agents have been involved in at least 12 shootings resulting in deaths or injuries. Local police failed to investigate six of these incidents, immediately deferring to federal authorities. In Franklin Park, Illinois, Police Chief Mike Witz refused to investigate after ICE agents shot and killed Mexican immigrant Silverio Villegas González, stating "You're not going to investigate a federal officer." Body camera footage showed police did not even record the names of the two ICE agents at the scene. This pattern repeated across multiple states. In Minnesota, ICE and Border Patrol killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and injured a Venezuelan man in January. When state police attempted independent investigations with judicial warrants, federal agents physically blocked them. In Chicago, local police did not investigate when a Border Patrol agent shot U.S. citizen Marimar Martinez in October. Legal experts including Craig Futterman of the University of Chicago and Joanna Schwartz of UCLA confirm that local authorities have both the legal power and moral obligation to investigate and prosecute federal agents who violate state laws. The federal supremacy clause should not protect agents who violate the Constitution. The Trump administration has consistently blamed victims within hours of shootings, often contradicting later evidence. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol's Gregory Bovino labeled victims "domestic terrorists," but video footage frequently contradicted these narratives. Alex Pretti never unholstered his legally carried gun, contrary to claims he was "brandishing" it. Some jurisdictions are taking action. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson directed police to document illegal activity by federal immigration agents and refer felonies to prosecutors. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is working with state police to investigate despite federal resistance. Nine prosecutors formed a coalition to support each other in bringing charges against federal officers. I urge you to direct local law enforcement and prosecutors in our state to investigate all shootings by federal agents and pursue charges when evidence warrants. Our communities deserve accountability regardless of who pulls the trigger.