United States of America - January 2026

In January, Minneapolis became the site of escalating confrontations between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and protesters opposing federal immigration enforcement operations. ICE was reported to have used tactics such as intimidation, violence, chemical irritants and arrests against people engaged in monitoring and protest actions. During clashes on 7 and 24 January, ICE officers shot and killed two protesters, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Federal government officials claimed the victims were ‘domestic terrorists’ and that ICE officers acted in self-defense. However, evidence, including video footage, contradicted such claims, showing Good trying to drive away and Pretti on his knees when shot. Local officials condemned the behavior of the federal agents, urging them to leave Minneapolis. Democratic party leaders and rights activists raised alarm after it transpired that federal agents were keeping local officials from the investigations into the incidents. The shootings prompted country-wide protests over the month. 

Sources: ABC, CNN(1),  USA Today, MPR, AP, BBC, New York Times