From NPR · · 3m
Democrats to investigate fatal ICE shootings
After winning Congress, Democrats plan to subpoena Trump officials over deaths of at least nine people killed by immigration agents.
In brief
After winning Congress, Democrats plan to subpoena Trump officials over deaths of at least nine people killed by immigration agents. Democrats, now holding a congressional majority, plan to investigate at least nine deaths caused by ICE and Border Patrol agents since Trump took office, with power to compel testimony…
A nurse and a mother killed
Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a VA nurse and U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis last January. Weeks earlier, ICE killed Renee Good, a mom of three and U.S. citizen, in the same city.
A third death in Houston
In Houston, an ICE officer killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a father of three and a Mexican immigrant, in July.
No progress on investigations
Federal law enforcement officials have given little indication they are progressing in investigating these deaths. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to an NPR request for the status of those investigations.
Democrats win power to act
After Democrats' sweeping wins in this week's midterms, they now hold a majority in Congress.
Who Democrats can subpoena
Targets could include White House Border Czar Tom Homan, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, former Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, among others.
What Congress can demand
Congress can demand internal documents like use-of-force reports and ask key questions: What orders were given to immigration officers? What training did they receive? Who decided to paint Pretti and Good as threats?
The ACLU's view on power
Naureen Shah, who leads the ACLU's immigration policy work, says Congress can now dissect individual shootings and unravel what happened.She says there is a reckoning needed about how such things could happen on American streets.
“It's like we can turn the faucet on and actually find out so much more.”
Democratic leaders' plans
Maryland Rep.Jamie Raskin, expected to lead the House Judiciary Committee, said Congress will use every tool to investigate ICE.California Rep.Robert Garcia vowed to take on DHS and ICE abuses.Mississippi Rep.Bennie Thompson demanded document preservation.
“Lawyer Up.”
White House pushes back
DHS general counsel James Percival said Democrats are more interested in political shenanigans than governing. A White House spokesperson told NPR that if Democrats pursue sham investigations, they work against the American people.
Real limits on Democratic power
Major changes like clawing back ICE funding would require a veto-proof majority, which Democrats do not have.Trump has shown little interest in accountability for federal agents.But investigations could help states pursue their own criminal cases.
Minnesota fights for evidence
Minnesota officials have been fighting with the federal government to get evidence related to the Pretti and Good killings.
“I don't want history to keep repeating itself.”
The takeaway
Democrats, now holding a congressional majority, plan to investigate at least nine deaths caused by ICE and Border Patrol agents since Trump took office, with power to compel testimony from top officials.
