National Nurses United plans week of demonstrations to support man slain by ICE

National Nurses United (NNU) has responded to the killing of Alex Pretti by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota, calling for a multi-state week of action.

The professional organization announced a “week of action” in response to the slaying, declaring that “Federal immigration agents have murdered” one of their own. Pretti, who was seen on multiple videos being shot in the street after recording federal agents and being pepper sprayed, was an ICU nurse who worked with the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Records show he has been licensed in the state since 2021. 

According to his LinkedIn profile, he previously served as a "junior scientist" at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

No assailants from ICE or border patrol have been named or charged, as the U.S. Department of Justice announced they are taking over the investigation.

He was shot multiple times in the back and head on Saturday. Although carrying a firearm, Pretti was confirmed by state authorities to be in possession of a legal concealed carry permit. Video from witnesses does not show him brandishing a weapon.

“ICE messed with the wrong profession,” Mary Turner, NNU president, said in a statement. “Never get between nurses and our patients. We nurses are forever patient advocates, and that means we will fight to protect you at the bedside and we will fight to protect you in the streets—just as Alex was doing when he was executed in cold blood by border patrol.”

“This stops now. Nurses want ICE abolished. Not one more penny for their crimes,” she added.

As for what the group will do, it said it’s planning to “mobilizing to hold an entire week of ongoing candlelight vigils” not only to honor Pretti and to “seek justice for [his] murder by federal immigration agents” but also to demand Congress take action by voting against any future funding of ICE and border control enforcement. 

Notably, the U.S. House of Representatives passed funding for the agencies last week, mostly along party lines—seven Democrats voted in support, with Thomas Massie (R-KY) the one “nay” vote among Republicans. The measure passed 220-207.

The fate of funding is now in the hands of the Senate, where its fate is unclear. A coalition of Democrats have promised to shut down the federal government over funding, while others have issued a list of demands that includes a moratorium on agents wearing masks, training for officers, and mandatory body cameras for all ICE and border patrol officials in the field. 

It’s unclear if the bill, as passed in the House, which provided funding for additional training and body cameras—with no mandate they be used— will pass through the Senate unchanged.

The Senate is expected to vote on the bill this week.