NH House Democrats Demand ICE Accountability After Second Shooting Death in Minneapolis

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson, D-Exeter, called the shooting death Saturday of Alex Pretti by an ICE agent in Minneapolis a “tragic murder” as pressure mounts against the federal actions in Minneapolis.

“The brutal murder of Alex Pretti by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, just days after the brutal murder of Renee Good, is the latest example of an unaccountable federal agency using rapidly escalating and unjustified force to terrorize our communities. No one should fear being shot in the street by masked officers – anytime, anywhere,” Simpson said in a statement Monday.

Also on Monday evening, an estimated 90 people marched in a “Candlelight Procession for Alex Jeffrey Pretti and all ICE victims,” in Conway organized by the Mount Washington Valley Resistance.

Simpson said “bills now making their way through the state legislature require clear identification of state and local law enforcement officers participating in immigration enforcement activities and prohibit state resources from being used to construct ICE facilities or enable ICE’s abuses.

“These bills are simple – they demand transparency, accountability, and respect for our neighbors and communities. Granite Staters do not want masked federal agents roaming our streets. They want to feel safe in their neighborhoods, to know their tax dollars are being used appropriately, and to live under laws that reflect our ‘live free or die’ values,” she said.

“It is past time for Governor Ayotte and Republicans in Concord to put New Hampshire first, stop sitting on the sidelines, and stand with Granite Staters demanding accountability,” Simpson said.

The following bills in New Hampshire deal with immigration enforcement.

HB 1142, relative to requirements for law enforcement officers assisting in immigration enforcement. HEARING: Wednesday 1/28 at 3:30 pm in House Criminal Justice.

HB 1364, requiring quarterly reports from counties, municipalities, or any other political subdivisions of the state that enter into certain agreements with the federal government concerning assistance with federal immigration enforcement. HEARING:  Friday, 1/30 at 11:30am in House Criminal Justice.

HB 1570, relative to governmental budget authority for agreements for law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration enforcement. Pending a vote on floor of House.

HB 1822, relative to reporting of civil immigration detentions by state, county, and local law enforcement and correctional facilities. Pending a vote on floor of House.

HB 1609, limiting the use of state, county, and municipal funds and property for construction and operation of certain immigrant detention facilities. Pending a vote on floor of House.

The Guardian newspaper reported Monday: “President says his administration is reviewing fatal shooting as Republicans and Democrats criticize ICE surge.”

And Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on Facebook Monday that he “had a productive call with President Trump earlier today. I told him we need impartial investigations of the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents, and that we need to reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota.

“The President agreed to look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and to talk to DHS about ensuring the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is able to conduct an independent investigation, as would ordinarily be the case,” Walz said.