Federal officials say anti-ICE mob violence in Minneapolis directly disrupted a targeted immigration enforcement operation, allowing a criminal suspect to escape while an ICE agent suffered a permanent injury during violent unrest.
According to federal authorities, anti-ICE mob interference unfolded early Saturday when Border Patrol and ICE agents attempted to arrest Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a criminal record that includes domestic assault involving intentional bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license. U.S. Border Patrol Commander at Large Greg Bovino said officers abandoned the operation after crowds swarmed the scene, assaulted agents, and turned the situation chaotic.
“This individual is still roaming the streets today,” Bovino said. “This individual walks the streets today because of those choices made by politicians and those, perhaps, weaker-minded constituents that chose to follow directions of those politicians. Sad state of affairs.”
The unrest escalated after a Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, during the operation. Officials said Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital and a member of the American Federation of Government Employees, approached agents while armed with a 9 mm pistol and “violently resisted” when agents tried to disarm him. Medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures, but Pretti died at the scene. Authorities confirmed he held a valid permit to carry.
During the chaos, Homeland Security officials said a protester permanently injured an ICE agent. ICE Executive Assistant Director Marcos Charles said a group tackled an ICE special agent, and the confrontation escalated.
“The protester literally bit off part of that agent’s finger,” Charles said. “The officer is recovering but is now permanently maimed and has lost part of his finger.”
Charles said ICE operations in Minnesota have resulted in more than 3,400 arrests of illegal aliens, including “criminals, gang members and terrorists.”
