Border Patrol Commander Bovino, Some Agents Expected to Leave Minneapolis Amid Ongoing Controversy
A senior Border Patrol commander, Gregory Bovino, is reportedly set to depart Minneapolis as early as Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. The expected departure comes amidst mounting outrage over the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by two Border Patrol agents.
President Donald Trump has dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to take charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in an effort to quell growing criticism from local officials, civil rights advocates, and congressional Democrats. The Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement surge in cities nationwide has been widely criticized for its heavy-handed approach and disregard for community concerns.
Bovino's leadership of highly visible federal crackdowns, including operations that sparked mass demonstrations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Minneapolis, has drawn fierce criticism from local officials, civil rights advocates, and congressional Democrats. The recent shooting of Pretti, which was defended by Bovino as justified, has further fueled public discontent.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that it plans to continue its deportation operations in Chicago, with an even larger contingent of agents returning as soon as March. However, local officials have vowed to resist the federal enforcement surge, arguing that it poses a significant threat to community safety and perpetuates systemic racism.
Meanwhile, Trump declared on social media that he was now "on a similar wavelength" with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following their phone call, which came after a federal judge heard arguments in a lawsuit aimed at halting the federal immigration enforcement surge in the state. The court's decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for other states that may become targets of ramped-up federal immigration enforcement operations.
As tensions escalate, attorneys for the administration, the state, and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul appeared before U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez, who is considering whether to grant requests to temporarily halt the immigration operation. The judge expressed skepticism about the government's motives behind the crackdown, questioning whether there was a "limit to what the executive can do under the guise of enforcing immigration law."
The case has sparked concerns that the federal government is overstepping its authority and disregarding state laws and policies. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how President Trump's administration will respond to mounting criticism and whether local officials will succeed in resisting the enforcement surge.
A senior Border Patrol commander, Gregory Bovino, is reportedly set to depart Minneapolis as early as Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. The expected departure comes amidst mounting outrage over the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by two Border Patrol agents.
President Donald Trump has dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to take charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in an effort to quell growing criticism from local officials, civil rights advocates, and congressional Democrats. The Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement surge in cities nationwide has been widely criticized for its heavy-handed approach and disregard for community concerns.
Bovino's leadership of highly visible federal crackdowns, including operations that sparked mass demonstrations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Minneapolis, has drawn fierce criticism from local officials, civil rights advocates, and congressional Democrats. The recent shooting of Pretti, which was defended by Bovino as justified, has further fueled public discontent.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that it plans to continue its deportation operations in Chicago, with an even larger contingent of agents returning as soon as March. However, local officials have vowed to resist the federal enforcement surge, arguing that it poses a significant threat to community safety and perpetuates systemic racism.
Meanwhile, Trump declared on social media that he was now "on a similar wavelength" with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following their phone call, which came after a federal judge heard arguments in a lawsuit aimed at halting the federal immigration enforcement surge in the state. The court's decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for other states that may become targets of ramped-up federal immigration enforcement operations.
As tensions escalate, attorneys for the administration, the state, and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul appeared before U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez, who is considering whether to grant requests to temporarily halt the immigration operation. The judge expressed skepticism about the government's motives behind the crackdown, questioning whether there was a "limit to what the executive can do under the guise of enforcing immigration law."
The case has sparked concerns that the federal government is overstepping its authority and disregarding state laws and policies. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how President Trump's administration will respond to mounting criticism and whether local officials will succeed in resisting the enforcement surge.
. And now Trump is sending his goon Tom Homan to Minnesota to try and calm things down? Please, it's too little, too late 
. The fact that they're trying to quell criticism by deploying more agents to Chicago and Minneapolis shows they're just not listening to the community 
. It's like they think we're all just gonna roll over and let them do whatever they want. Newsflash: it's not gonna happen! We need some real leadership, not just some politician trying to save face 
.
I think this whole thing is super messed up. The fact that a Border Patrol commander has to leave Minneapolis because of all the backlash is kinda sad, you know? It just goes to show how much people are still hurt and angry about what happened to Alex Pretti. 
The government's response feels so heavy-handed and uncaring. I mean, come on, a phone call with Governor Walz isn't gonna make up for all the harm that's been done here. And now they're sending more agents? Are they trying to stir up more trouble? 
It's time for some real change around here, not just empty promises or PR moves. We need leaders who actually care about people's lives and well-being, not just about enforcing laws and pushing an agenda. 
I mean, who thought that was a good idea?! It's like they're trying to trick us into buying overpriced lattes so we can gaze lovingly at the miniature succulent garden. and don't even get me started on how often those plants die... 
anyway, back to the news - it's wild that the government is getting slammed for this immigration enforcement thing...
. anyway, another nurse dies at the hands of border patrol agents & no one gets held accountable. doesnt it ever occur to trump that these actions are just gonna keep fueling more outrage & conflict? meanwhile, texas is having a major water crisis & nobody's talking about that 
. and btw, china just found a new coronavirus variant thats making folks super worried 
. I don't think Tom Homan can fix this or calm things down, he's just gonna stir up more controversy.
. The judge should definitely consider granting those requests to temporarily halt the operation. It's time for the gov to listen to some reason and work with local officials instead of trying to push their agenda down our throats 
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. We need more transparency and accountability from our government, not less 
we need to calm down and think about what's really going on here 
he was like a magnet 4 all the drama & controversy 
agents expected 2 leave Minneapolis? That's like, good riddance in my book 
Trump sendin some dude Tom Homan 2 Minnesota is like, just another way 4 him 2 try 2 sweep things under the rug 
I mean, we all kno that federal immigration enforcement can be super problematic 
Governor Walz needs 2 keep pushin back against this surge 'cause I got faith in him 
. What's next, the NSA showing up at your doorstep to give you a "security check"? 
. Trump's gotta love sending his minions in like bodyguards 
, but come on, can't we just talk about this stuff without shooting first? 
and now trump is sending in his friend Tom Homan to try and calm things down? like what even is going on here?! 
not buying it fam! 
And I love how local officials and civil rights advocates are standing together to fight for their communities' safety 
. Fingers crossed that we can get some clarity on this soon! 