It’s difficult to understand what’s really going on in Minneapolis because every commentator and politician presents an interpretation that ignores something.
This is the way I see it.
First, almost everyone agrees that the ultimate goal of ICE, the deportation of illegal residents in the US with criminal records (either in the US or prior to their arrival) is a reasonable aim. This is true even when some people differ on the definition of who is a legal resident and what rights they may have. One item that is regularly ignored is that interfering with a federal agent (i.e. ICE) in the process of carrying out his assigned duty is, in itself, a felony. It cannot be excused as exercising rights under the First, Second, or Fourth amendments to the US Constitution. Constitutional rights are NOT an issue when the claimant is NOT demonstrating ‘Peacefully’. Abusive behavior, especially when it is physical, is NOT peaceful, and no statements by politicians can make it so. Further, additional crimes committed while in the process of committing a felony are not protected by any law of which I am aware. It is also questionable as to whether an illegal immigrant is entitled to all the protections of the US constitution and laws. That said a person subject to deportation is entitled to have that issue heard by a judge.
Second, ICE agents are federal law officers trained for a specific task. Their duties do NOT include crowd control. Crowd control is part of the training given local police (who have been conspicuously absent from many confrontations. Local police SHOULD be present to protect ICE agents from harassment. That means when they are stopped for a meal or fueling their car, as well as when they are apprehending suspects. When people shout at ICE agents or threaten the agents or their families I believe they are committing assault (which may only be a misdemeanor, but it is a crime, nonetheless). Local police need to enforce the law in those cases, too. The best way is to prevent the crime from happening. Often, that means separating the conflicting groups. I am at a loss trying to understand why local law enforcement has NOT been doing this. ICE agents are also citizens and deserve to Local police need to enforce the law in those cases, too. The best way is to prevent the crime from happening. Often, that means separating the conflicting groups. I am at a loss trying to understand why local law enforcement has NOT been doing this. ICE agents are also citizens and deserve at least the same protection as others. Why do ICE agents (or their superiors) feel they need to wear masks? Are they in danger if they are recognized? Someone thinks so.
Third, two people have tragically been killed during confrontations between DEMONstrators and ICE agents. Federal agents are trained not to use deadly force unless they, or someone else nearby, are in imminent danger. The officer in the first case was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident. Verdict: He was acting correctly. The second case is not as clear, mostly because commentators are not always presenting all the relevant facts. Some ICE agents were restraining a woman who had chosen to use physical contact to show her opposition. The ICE agent response knocked her off her feet. Mr. Pretti might have been only trying to help her, but his approach led to physical contact. He was told to back away (where was intervention by the Minneapolis Police?) but he did not. One ICE agent spotted that Pretti was carrying a gun (with a permit, but that is not relevant) and did as he was trained. He shouted a warning to his fellow officers: “Gun”. This alerted all the agents to the idea that was a potential for the use of deadly force. Because the victim was still struggling, one officer opened fire. He was joined by others. They all may have thought the victim was trying to harm them. We won’t know for certain until the investigation is completed.
Ween the local police and ICE has been totally absent. Another point that is relevant is that regardless of cooperation with ICE, the local police should have been present at the scene to separate the demonstrators from the federal officers in order to protect BOTH groups.
Wetherhorn 