Minnesota Investigates Actions of Federal Officers During Trump Era Immigration Crackdown

Thu Apr 16 2026 22:33:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The state of Minnesota has initiated investigations into federal law enforcement officers' conduct during the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities, resulting in charges against an ICE agent and legal disputes over authority and evidence.

Minnesota is taking steps to investigate federal law enforcement activities during Trump's immigration crackdown. Charges have been filed against an ICE agent for assault, while other ongoing investigations relate to several controversial incidents involving the use of lethal force. The state's attempts to introduce oversight have met resistance from the federal government, raising questions about jurisdiction and police accountability.

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota has embarked on investigations into several federal law enforcement officers' activities during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. The Hennepin County Prosecutor announced charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., accused of pointing a gun at a motorist and passenger on a Minneapolis highway, marking a significant move in holding federal officers accountable.

The controversial actions come despite suggestions from the federal government that local prosecutors may lack jurisdiction to investigate federal officers. This tension has led Minnesota to file a lawsuit seeking access to evidence for investigations into three separate shootings, two of which resulted in fatalities.

One of the high-profile cases includes that of Alex Pretti, a nurse shot and killed by federal officers during a protest in January 2017. The Trump administration claimed that the officers acted in self-defense against a perceived threat, but witness videos contradict these assertions, showing Pretti wielding only a mobile phone. The Justice Department is currently conducting a civil rights investigation into this shooting.

Another victim, Renee Good, lost her life when an ICE officer fired shots as she attempted to move her vehicle while blocking a street. The Department of Homeland Security claims its investigations remain ongoing, emphasizing that the officer acted in self-defense.

Moreover, other cases being reviewed by local authorities include the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, and the troubling arrest of ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a Hmong American man, conducted in a manner described as potentially unlawful. Similar cases highlight extensive concerns regarding police conduct and accountability during federal immigration enforcement actions.

In total, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty confirmed that at least 17 cases of potential misconduct against federal officers are under investigation. The outcomes of these investigations could significantly impact ongoing discussions about immigration policy and law enforcement practices.