- United States
- Wash.
- Letter
Urgent Concern Over Federal Immigration Enforcement and Use-of-Force Incidents
To: Sen. Cantwell, Sen. Murray, Rep. Jayapal
From: A verified voter in Shoreline, WA
January 27
I am writing to you as a constituent deeply concerned about recent developments involving federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota and across the United States. In January 2026, multiple use-of-force incidents involving federal immigration agents were reported in Minneapolis, including the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and, weeks earlier, Renée Good. In both cases, local leaders and independent observers have raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding these deaths, including conflicting official accounts and video evidence that appear to contradict federal narratives of imminent threat. These incidents were part of a broader enforcement initiative known as Operation Metro Surge, which deployed thousands of federal immigration agents to Minnesota. Local elected officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have publicly criticized the federal response and called for transparency and independent investigation. In at least one case, Minnesota investigators were reportedly restricted from accessing evidence, raising concerns about oversight and accountability in use-of-force incidents involving federal officers. My concerns stem from the following principles: 1. Due Process and Civil Liberties: All individuals — including non-citizens and citizens alike — are entitled to constitutionally protected due process and equal treatment under the law. Law enforcement operations must adhere strictly to those standards. 2. Use of Force Standards: Federal and local law enforcement must apply the highest standards for use of force, consistent with established legal precedent and human rights norms. Fatal shootings in domestic enforcement operations warrant full, transparent investigation. 3. Transparency and Accountability: The apparent limits placed on state investigators’ access to evidence undermines public confidence in the process and inhibits accountability. Independent, impartial investigation is essential. 4. Federal-State Cooperation: Incidents involving federal enforcement actions in local communities highlight the importance of clear jurisdictional coordination, respect for community concerns, and de-escalation strategies whenever possible. I urge you to support legislative and oversight actions that: • Require independent review mechanisms for federal use-of-force incidents, especially those that result in civilian death. • Ensure full transparency and cooperation with state and local investigations where applicable. • Reaffirm commitment to civil liberties protections during immigration enforcement, including due process and lawful procedure. • Promote de-escalation and community-based approaches as alternatives to large-scale, militarized enforcement operations in residential areas. Thank you for your service and attention to these critical civil liberties issues. I respectfully request a response outlining your views and any actions you are taking to address these concerns.
Write to Maria Cantwell or any of your elected officials
Or text write to 50409
Resistbot is a chatbot that delivers your texts to your elected officials by email, fax, or postal mail. Tap above to give it a try or learn more here!