Minnesota clashes deepen as Trump's ICE crackdown continues

Federal authorities have mounted a large ICE operation in Minnesota and the recent shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent has prompted sustained protests and political disputes.

Minnesota has been the focus of a large federal immigration operation since early January. Authorities have deployed thousands of federal agents and reported about 3,000 arrests. The operation has coincided with two recent fatal encounters involving federal officers, which have sparked protests in Minneapolis. State and national leaders have publicly clashed over the deployment and its handling. Key facts: - Federal authorities launched an operation described as Operation Metro Surge after charges connected to a welfare fraud investigation, bringing a large ICE and Border Patrol presence to the state. - Officials say a Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti; administration figures characterized him as violent while family members and published video accounts raised questions about what occurred during the encounter. - Protests have formed around the shooting site and federal facilities, and authorities used crowd-control measures during clashes between protesters and federal officers. - Lawmakers in Washington have responded with partisan disputes, including threats to block Department of Homeland Security funding and calls from several senators for independent investigations. Summary: The federal operation has intensified local unrest and heightened political conflict between the White House and Democratic leaders. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has threatened to block a funding bill that includes DHS money at the end of the month, and some senators have called for independent investigations into the shooting. Undetermined at this time.