What is at risk for democracy in Minnesota?
What is at risk for democracy in Minnesota?
Over the past several weeks, federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis have resulted in the deaths of two people and raised serious questions about due process, accountability, and constitutional protections.
On January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration enforcement agents in South Minneapolis. In the aftermath, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that Mr. Pretti “impeded the law enforcement officers and attacked them.” However, videos recorded by eyewitnesses and shared publicly have raised serious questions about that account.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it had opened a civil rights investigation into Mr. Pretti’s killing.
His death follows the killing of Renée Good earlier last month during a separate federal immigration enforcement operation in the same city, deepening concerns that these incidents may reflect a broader pattern rather than isolated events.
In the days following Mr. Pretti’s killing, journalists covering protests in Minneapolis were detained or arrested while reporting, further intensifying scrutiny of how constitutional rights are being upheld during these operations.
What does this have to do with democracy?
Due process is a core constitutional principle that requires government power to be exercised lawfully, transparently, and with restraint.
Guaranteed by the Constitution’s Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, due process protects all people in the United States from being unlawfully detained, harmed, or deprived of life or liberty without legal justification and oversight. According to over a century of legal precedent, these protections apply regardless of immigration status.
As one of its bedrock functions, due process ensures that when the state uses force, that force is subject to review, accountability, and clear legal standards.
The reported actions of federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis cast doubt on whether these protections were respected and whether sufficient safeguards exist to prevent future harm. When deaths occur at the hands of government agents, accountability is not optional – it is essential to public trust and democratic legitimacy.
Why does this matter to our community?
We know members of the Jewish community hold a wide range of views on immigration policy and enforcement. That debate is real and will continue. However, regardless of where we land on that issue, we must be able to agree on a baseline commitment to shared democratic principles:
Every person’s due process rights must be honored
The First Amendment protects the right to assemble, protest, and bear witness
Accountability strengthens democracy and builds public trust
Holding law enforcement accountable does not undermine democracy or the government’s ability to enforce policy. It strengthens it. Accountability protects lives, reinforces public trust, and upholds the democratic values that bind us together.
For centuries, Jews lived without these protections, and the results were often devastating. This is why American Jews must fight to keep these rights and norms sacrosanct, for ourselves and for others.
What can be done?
Learn
Understand the role due process plays in protecting civil liberties and maintaining democratic legitimacy – especially when government force is used.
Track ongoing threats to democratic norms through resources such as Protect Democracy’s In Defense of Civil Society.
Speak
Ground your message in shared principles. You may wish to emphasize values such as:
Every human life deserves dignity and protection
Any death caused by government agents demands lawful investigation and accountability
The First Amendment protects the right to protest and to record public events
Public safety and constitutional rights depend on one another
Act
Borrowing from and amplifying our partners at Mormon Women for Ethical Government, one meaningful democratic act in moments where facts are disputed and trust is strained is to stand as a witness.
Watch the publicly available video footage (content warning: these videos show real life violence and death). Write a few brief sentences describing only what you observe. If you do not feel comfortable watching the videos, consider reading verified coverage from trusted sources instead.
Contact your U.S. Senators and urge them to exercise their oversight authority by:
Holding the Department of Homeland Security accountable
Calling for a full and transparent investigation
Ensuring immigration enforcement respects due process, constitutional rights, and the rule of law
People hold a wide range of views on immigration enforcement. For those who choose to engage in constitutionally protected speech and protest, participating in “nonviolent action” or “know your rights” trainings can help deepen your understanding of your rights and how to exercise them safely.
