1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand that the Department of Homeland Security immediately withdraw Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations from Minneapolis and other American cities following two fatal shootings in the span of weeks. On January 7, ICE officers shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good when an officer fired into her vehicle. This past Saturday, federal immigration officers shot and killed a 51-year-old man just over a mile from where Good was killed. These deaths have occurred during the current administration's immigration crackdown and have sparked widespread daily protests throughout the Twin Cities. The community response demonstrates the breakdown of trust between federal law enforcement and the residents they are supposed to serve. Hundreds of protesters gathered at Saturday's shooting scene, expressing anger and demanding accountability. When one officer responded mockingly to the crowd by saying "Boo hoo," it revealed a disturbing contempt for community grief and concern. Federal agents were also observed shoving protesters into cars, further escalating tensions. Minneapolis residents are living under what feels like an occupation rather than lawful immigration enforcement. Two people are dead within weeks in a single city. The human cost of these operations has become unacceptable. While DHS claims the second person shot had a firearm, the circumstances remain unclear and do not justify the pattern of fatal force being deployed in our communities. I am asking you to take immediate action to demand that DHS suspend ICE enforcement operations in Minneapolis and conduct a full independent investigation into both shootings. Federal immigration enforcement should not result in community members dying in our streets. The current approach has failed, and continued operations will only lead to more tragedy and civil unrest. Our communities deserve immigration policies that prioritize human dignity and public safety over aggressive enforcement tactics that are claiming lives.