DHS says federal immigration officers in Minneapolis will wear body cameras immediately amid backlash after two deaths tied to enforcement operations.
.jpg "Federal immigration officers in Minneapolis during enforcement operation") |
| Minneapolis Federal Officers to Get Body Cameras Immediately |
MINNEAPOLIS,
UNITED STATES.— Federal immigration officers operating in
Minneapolis will be equipped with body-worn cameras effective immediately, the
US Department of Homeland Security said, following public backlash over two
recent deaths. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of a federal immigration
surge in Minnesota ordered by President Donald Trump. Officials say the measure
is intended to improve transparency and accountability as tensions rise between
federal authorities and local leaders. The deployment has national implications
as lawmakers debate immigration enforcement and government funding.
Immediate
Policy Shift Amid Public Scrutiny
The
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Monday that all federal
immigration officers in Minneapolis would receive body cameras without delay.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the change on X, stating that
deployment would begin “effective immediately.”
According
to DHS, the decision follows growing criticism over enforcement tactics after
the deaths of two US citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, during a period of
intensified federal immigration activity in the region. The department said the
cameras are meant to document interactions in the field and provide an
objective record of events during enforcement operations.
DHS also
indicated that the Minneapolis rollout would serve as a pilot. Once funding
becomes available, the department plans to expand the body camera program
nationwide. At present, DHS has not released technical specifications, data
retention policies, or public access guidelines related to the footage, noting
that those details are still under review.
The Death
of Alex Pretti and Official Findings
The most
serious incident prompting the policy shift was the death of Alex Pretti
on January 24. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Pretti’s death
a homicide, meaning he was killed by another person, without determining
whether a crime occurred.
In a
report released Monday, the medical examiner stated that Pretti suffered
“multiple gunshot wounds” fired by one or more law enforcement officers. He was
transported to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died in the
emergency room. No additional medical or tactical details were made public.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the two agents involved were wearing body cameras at the time of the incident and have been placed on administrative leave. CBP has not disclosed whether footage has been released or reviewed publicly.
Federal
Investigations and Oversight
The US
Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into Pretti’s
death. Such investigations examine whether federal agents acted within
constitutional and legal boundaries during the encounter.
DHS
officials said they are cooperating with the Justice Department but declined to
comment on the scope or timeline of the inquiry. CRNTimes.com could not independently
verify when preliminary findings may be released.
Legal
experts note that civil rights probes do not imply wrongdoing but are often
used to assess systemic practices, training adequacy, and use-of-force
protocols. The outcome could influence federal enforcement standards beyond
Minnesota.
Government
Shutdown and Immigration Funding Debate
The body
camera announcement comes as the United States enters the third day of a
partial federal government shutdown. Congressional Democrats have demanded
immigration reforms, including mandatory body cameras for federal agents, as
part of any agreement to restore funding.
Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently the highest-funded US law
enforcement agency, after Congress authorized approximately $80 billion last
year, according to federal budget records. Critics argue that funding levels
should be tied more closely to oversight mechanisms, while supporters say
resources are necessary to enforce existing immigration laws.
The
shutdown has intensified political pressure on the administration, with
immigration policy emerging as one of the central sticking points in
negotiations.
White
House Response and Law Enforcement Perspective
Asked
about the DHS decision, President Donald Trump expressed support for
body cameras, saying they are “generally good for law enforcement because
people can’t lie about what’s happening.” He added that, in his view, such
devices benefit officers in the majority of cases.
Law
enforcement groups have historically offered mixed reactions to body cameras.
Supporters cite reduced complaints and clearer evidence, while opponents raise
concerns about privacy, administrative burdens, and the potential misuse of
footage.
DHS has
not said whether the Minneapolis cameras will be governed by the same policies
used by other federal agencies or whether new rules will be developed in
response to recent events.
Leadership
Changes in Minneapolis Operations
In the
aftermath of Pretti’s death, the Trump administration removed Gregory Bovino
from his role overseeing operations in Minneapolis. He was replaced by border
policy chief Tom Homan, who was tasked with easing tensions and
reassessing the federal presence.
Homan met
with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Michael Frey
to discuss next steps following the deaths of Pretti and Good.
Local
officials have publicly called for the complete withdrawal of federal
immigration agents from the Minneapolis metropolitan area, arguing that their
presence has strained community trust and diverted local law enforcement
resources.
Tensions
Over Sanctuary City Policies
The
administration has criticized Minneapolis for its sanctuary city policies,
which limit the extent to which city employees can enforce federal immigration
laws. Federal officials argue such policies hinder cooperation, while city
leaders say they are essential for public safety and community trust.
Mayor
Frey told the New York Times that he wants Minneapolis police focused on
“keeping Minneapolis residents safe,” rather than immigration enforcement. He
has also said the city will cooperate with federal authorities in certain
circumstances, though specifics remain unclear.
Homan
stated that a potential “drawdown” of federal agents is under consideration,
but said any changes would depend on cooperation from state and local
officials. As of now, no formal timeline has been announced.
Scope of
the Federal Immigration Surge
More than
3,000 federal immigration officers have been deployed across Minnesota for
weeks as part of a broader enforcement surge ordered by President Trump. The
initiative aligns with campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration
but has sparked protests and legal questions in several states.
DHS has
not released detailed data on arrests, deportations, or operational outcomes
related to the Minnesota deployment. Civil liberties groups argue that
transparency, including the use of body cameras, is essential to assessing the
impact of such operations.
Whether
the immediate deployment of cameras in Minneapolis will ease tensions or
influence national policy debates remains uncertain, but the move signals a
shift in federal enforcement strategy under mounting political and public
pressure.
By Amelia
Grant | CRNTimes.com | Minneapolis