Almost a month after the killing of Renee Good and twenty days after that of Alex Pretti, both of whom died at the hands of two immigration agents in Minneapolis, Donald Trump’s administration has announced a partial step back.
The withdrawal of 700 Ice agents
Tom Homan, the man to whom the president entrusted one of the most sensitive dossiers of his second mandate, has announced the withdrawal, with immediate effect, of 700 ICE men from the Minnesota city. There will still be 2,000 left, but the goal is to reduce them further.
A city still under tension
Good news, therefore, for the city which for two months has been living in a climate of tension, terror, demonstrations, clashes and reactions. Homan, who took control of the operation in Minnesota, however claimed that “it was a success” while admitting that “it was not perfect”. And he warned that the immigration forces will remain in the city until the work is “completed”: “It is not a surrender.”
Governor Tim Walz’s position
The governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, for his part, called the announcement “a step in the right direction”, but called for a “faster and larger-scale withdrawal of forces”. But for the immigration czar this will depend on the cooperation of local authorities and the community.
The request for investigations into the murders
The former Democratic vice presidential candidate also continued to push for a speedy, state-led investigation into the murders of Pretti and Good as well as an end to “reprisals.”
Criticism of the federal operation
Walz, who along with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has strongly opposed the presence of ICE, also declared that the operation “is not making Minnesota safer.” Furthermore, the family of the 37-year-old killed on January 7 has spoken out in recent hours, confessing that they feel discouraged by the fact that the woman’s death has not induced any change in the behavior of Ice.
The pain of the Good family
“These events are transforming the community, they are transforming our lives,” Luke Ganger, one of Good’s brothers, said at a forum hosted by congressional Democrats on the use of force by federal agents.
“Not an isolated incident”
Ganger also refused to accept that what happened to his sister was a “bad day, a difficult week or an isolated incident.” Also present at the forum was Renee’s other brother, Brent, whose speech was interrupted several times by tears.
The disappointment of the lack of change
“Dealing with such a violent and senseless death was made even more difficult by feelings of disbelief, anguish and despair,” Luke said. “In recent weeks, our family has found some comfort in thinking that perhaps Nee’s death would lead to change in our country – he added – And instead it didn’t happen.”