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An Open Letter

To: Rep. Burchett, Sen. Hagerty, Sen. Blackburn

From: A constituent in Knoxville, TN

January 26

Subject: Urgent Action Required on ICE Shooting and Federal Enforcement Practices I am writing to you today as a concerned constituent deeply disturbed by the recent fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Multiple publicly available videos show Mr. Pretti legally filming ICE agents with his cell phone. He did not draw or brandish a weapon at any time. Despite this, he was stopped, detained, disarmed, restrained by multiple agents, and then shot repeatedly while on the ground. He was legally permitted to carry a firearm, but video evidence indicates he never attempted to use it. The Department of Homeland Security’s claim that agents acted in self-defense directly contradicts the available footage. Attempts to smear Mr. Pretti after his death only deepen public concern and erode trust in federal law enforcement. This incident follows another recent fatal shooting involving a civilian during similar operations, raising serious questions about ICE training, protocols, and accountability. As your constituent, I respectfully urge you to take immediate action to: 1. Demand a full, independent, and transparent investigation into this killing and related enforcement actions. 2. Push for immediate reforms to ICE and DHS use-of-force policies, with a clear emphasis on de-escalation, constitutional rights, and civilian oversight. 3. Ensure that continued funding for ICE is contingent upon meaningful reforms and accountability measures. Any further funding of ICE without reforms to address these issues risks making Congress complicit in actions that many Americans view as unlawful and inhumane. I hope you will act swiftly and decisively on this matter. Thank you for your time and attention.

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