Following the latest shooting in Minneapolis, the Department of Homeland Security has issued a statement about their presence at the upcoming Super Bowl.
Anti-ICE protests and sentiments have erupted following the shooting of Alex Pretti over the weekend, which came just weeks after mother-of-three Renee Good was also fatally shot by a federal agent.
Videos have shown how the 37-year-old ICU nurse was shot and killed after a brief interaction with federal immigration agents.
Social media videos from multiple angles show Pretti attempting to help a woman up after she had been pushed to the floor by agents, before he was tackled to the ground by multiple agents and pepper sprayed.
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He was then fatally shot while still on the ground.
Pretti’s parents have slammed Donald Trump’s administration for their version of events, claiming they are ‘sickening lies’ while maintaining their son was clearly holding and brandishing his cell phone, rather than his legally owned firearm.
The death of both American citizens has caused an outrage with many claiming that ICE overreacted in both situations.
This has led to concerns that there could be protests or tension between ICE and federal agents if they are out in force at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8
ICE's message to Super Bowl fans
The Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, has issued a statement to TMZ about their plans to ensure safety at the sporting event.
She said: “The Department of Homeland Security is committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure the Super Bowl is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the World Cup.
“Our mission remains unchanged. Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.
“We will not disclose future operations or discuss personnel. Super Bowl security will entail a whole of government response conducted in-line with the U.S. Constitution.”
Last year, DHS adviser Corey Lewandowski made it clear that ICE would be operating at the Super Bowl on a ‘directive from the president’.
Speaking on The Benny Show podcast, Lewandowski said: “There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally.
“Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find and deport you. That is a very real situation."
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, Immigration, Super Bowl
Gerrard Kaonga