People

American citizen detained by ICE agents outside a Walmart store and questioned about his immigration status despite being a US citizen.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse at a VA hospital, was shot and killed January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis's Whittier neighborhood by CBP agents Jesus Ochoa (43) and Raymundo Gutierrez (35), identified by ProPublica. Pretti was filming agents with his phone and stepped between an agent and a woman pushed to the ground. He was pepper-sprayed, wrestled to the ground by ~6 agents, then shot — 10 shots in under five seconds. DHS claimed he had a handgun; multiple bystander videos verified by Reuters showed no weapon. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide. DOJ opened a civil rights investigation. Commander Gregory Bovino's false claim that Pretti planned to "massacre" agents led to Bovino's removal.

Brandon Johnson

Resistance & Opposition

Chicago Mayor who signed an executive order creating "ICE-Free Zones" prohibiting federal agents from using city-owned property. Directed Chicago police to investigate reports of illegal activity by ICE agents. Called for a coordinated nationwide protest movement. Characterized Trump as a tyrant.

Don Lemon

Journalists & Reporters

Arrested January 30, 2026, at a Beverly Hills hotel lobby by FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents — where he was covering the lead-up to the Grammy Awards. Charged with conspiracy against rights of religious freedom in connection with a January 18, 2026 anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota (where ICE acting field director David Easterwood serves as pastor). AG Bondi stated arrest was "at my direction." Minnesota Chief Judge Schiltz wrote Lemon was "not a protester at all" with "no evidence" of criminal behavior. Attorney Abbe Lowell called it "an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment."

Donald Trump

Administration Officials

Ordered the mass deportation campaign. Signed the Laken Riley Act (first bill of second term). Invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Deployed military to American cities. Rescinded sensitive-location protections on Day One. Issued birthright citizenship executive order (blocked by all courts, Supreme Court hearing April 2026). Threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in January 2026. After the Good and Pretti killings, stated they "should not have happened."

Gavin Newsom

Resistance & Opposition

California Governor who resisted ICE operations but was overridden when Trump deployed 700 Marines and ~2,100 National Guard to Los Angeles in June 2025, federalizing the Guard to bypass state authority. On September 3, 2025, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled the deployment violated the Posse Comitatus Act. On December 31, 2025, the administration announced ending LA deployments.

Greg Abbott

Administration Officials

Texas Governor and vocal supporter of the crackdown, offering state resources to assist ICE and CBP operations.

Career Border Patrol official who served as commander-at-large from October 2025 to January 2026. Led Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. After Alex Pretti's killing, Bovino falsely claimed Pretti planned to "massacre" agents — a claim the administration did not substantiate. Also lied under oath about threats from protesters (per a federal judge who extended a TRO against tear gas). Removed from command and replaced by Tom Homan.

Jacob Frey

Resistance & Opposition

Minneapolis Mayor who pledged "unwavering" support for immigrant communities after Operation Metro Surge. Publicly challenged DHS's characterization of the Renee Good shooting. Wrote that "Minnesota needs ICE to leave, not an escalation." Subject to reported DOJ investigation along with Governor Walz.

John Roberts

Government Officials

Chief Justice who authored the unanimous unsigned Supreme Court opinion on April 10, 2025, in the Abrego Garcia case, ruling the deportation illegal and ordering the government to "facilitate" his return. Drew a distinction between "facilitating" and "effectuating," leaving ambiguity about required government action.

Jonathan Ross

Enforcement & ICE Agents

Jonathan Ross, 43, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations deportation officer who fatally shot Renee Good on January 7, 2026. Deployed to Iraq with the Indiana National Guard (2004-2005) as a machine gunner. Joined U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso in 2007. ICE deportation officer in Minnesota since 2015. On June 17, 2025, was injured when dragged by a car during a traffic stop in Bloomington, MN.

Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, 24, was shot in the leg by an ICE agent on January 14, 2026, in North Minneapolis. The shooting began as a case of mistaken identity — ICE agents ran plates on a car registered to a different person. After the driver fled and crashed near a duplex where Sosa-Celis was standing, an altercation ensued. His attorney presented photographs of a bullet hole in the front door, claiming Sosa-Celis had already gone inside when shot. FBI testimony indicated no witnesses corroborated the ICE agent's account.

Keith Ellison

Resistance & Opposition

Minnesota Attorney General who filed a federal lawsuit on January 12, 2026, with the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, against DHS, ICE, CBP, and Secretary Noem. Alleged Minnesota was targeted for its voting habits and political viewpoints, violating the First Amendment and equal sovereignty. Accused the White House of "politics and retribution" and called the crackdown a "cover-up."

Salvadoran immigrant married to a U.S. citizen, living in Maryland. Had "withholding of removal" status from an immigration judge since 2019 due to gang violence risk. Illegally deported March 2025 to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled the deportation illegal on April 10, 2025, ordering the government to "facilitate" his return. Returned June 6, 2025 — but immediately indicted on charges of "conspiracy to unlawfully transport illegal aliens." His defense has raised a "vindictive prosecution" claim; a federal judge ordered release of related records in December 2025.

Kristi Noem

Administration Officials

Sworn in as DHS Secretary January 25, 2025. Personally joined ICE agents on Minneapolis raids in January 2026. Oversaw Operation Metro Surge deploying 2,000+ agents. Claimed 622,000+ removals and 10,000+ arrests in Minneapolis (figures disputed by journalists). An impeachment resolution (H.Res.996) has been introduced against her. Implemented 7-day advance notice for Congressional visits to detention facilities, limiting oversight.

Palestinian lawful permanent resident and Columbia graduate student arrested March 8, 2025, from his Manhattan apartment by ICE agents who entered without a judicial warrant (the government later admitted there was no warrant). ACLU surveillance footage showed Khalil was fully cooperative — contradicting DHS claims he tried to flee. Detained 104 days at LaSalle Detention Center in Jena, Louisiana. Released June 20, 2025, after a judge ruled his detention unconstitutional. Filed a $20 million damages claim in July 2025. In January 2026, an appeals court ruled he can be rearrested. Remains free on bail.

Marco Rubio

Administration Officials

Secretary of State who designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization on February 20, 2025, providing legal cover for the Alien Enemies Act. Defended the illegal deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Marimar Martinez, 30, a U.S. citizen, was shot 5 times (7 wounds) by a Border Patrol agent on October 4, 2025, in Chicago during Operation Midway Blitz. She survived and later testified before Congress, telling lawmakers: "My own government attempted to execute me."

Denver Mayor who took a firm stance against cooperating with federal deportation. Threatened with arrest and criminal investigation at a House Oversight hearing on March 5, 2025 (not arrested). Legal defense bill reached $2 million. Stated Denver would sue if funding was withheld.

Mohsen Mahdawi

Targeted Individuals

A ten-year legal U.S. resident, Columbia student, and Palestinian refugee camp-born activist. ICE agents arrested him at his U.S. citizenship interview — he was literally at his appointment to become a citizen. The Trump administration argued it could deport him for protest activity. A federal judge ordered his release.

Nayib Bukele

Government Officials

President of El Salvador who offered the CECOT mega-prison to the US for deportees. 238 Venezuelans were held at CECOT before being released in July 2025 in a prisoner exchange for 10 Americans. CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss pulled a completed 60 Minutes investigation into torture allegations at CECOT hours before airing in December 2025; the segment leaked after airing in Canada.

Pam Bondi

Administration Officials

Attorney General who provided legal backing for the Alien Enemies Act, sensitive-location raids, and the government's position in Abrego Garcia. Personally ordered Don Lemon's arrest on January 30, 2026, stating it was made "at my direction."

Ras Baraka

Resistance & Opposition

Newark Mayor arrested on May 9, 2025, at the Delaney Hall ICE facility along with three Congress members (Reps. Watson Coleman, McIver, Menendez Jr.) while attempting oversight of detained residents. Charged with trespassing. Held approximately 5 hours. On May 21, federal magistrate Judge Espinosa dismissed the charges, calling the arrest "hasty" and "a worrying misstep." On June 3, Baraka filed suit against Alina Habba and the arresting HSI officer for false arrest and malicious prosecution.

Renee Nicole Macklin Good, 37, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026, during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. She was in her car when Ross fired three shots as the vehicle moved forward. Federal officials claimed self-defense, saying she "ran him over." Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara called her killing "predictable and preventable." Bystander video went viral — a Quinnipiac poll found 82% of registered voters saw the footage. Her death was the primary catalyst for the Minnesota general strike.

Turkish PhD student at Tufts studying child development. Arrested March 25, 2025, by six masked plainclothes DHS agents in Somerville, Massachusetts, after her F-1 visa was revoked. The apparent basis: co-authoring a March 2024 op-ed in The Tufts Daily calling for divestment from companies tied to Israel. Transported 1,600 miles to South Louisiana ICE Processing Center. Released May 9, 2025, after a judge ruled detention "cannot stand." Has resumed studies but was removed from the international student database, preventing her from working.

Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, 38, was shot and killed by ICE during a traffic stop in Franklin Park, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) on September 12, 2025, during Operation Midway Blitz. DHS claimed he "seriously injured" an agent, but bodycam footage showed the agent describing injuries as "nothing major." The bullet traveled through the back of his neck.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor. Widely called the "mastermind" of the crackdown. In May 2025, directed ICE to aim for 3,000 arrests/day. Runs daily 10 a.m. calls (including Saturdays) demanding updates. Co-directed with Noem instructions to "supercharge immigrant arrests." Only 17% of Americans have a positive impression of Miller (YouGov, Jan 2026).

Tim Walz

Resistance & Opposition

Minnesota Governor who demanded Trump remove "untrained" federal immigration agents from the state after the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Acting AG Todd Blanche accused Walz of "terrorism." The DOJ reportedly opened an investigation into Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey.

Todd Lyons

Administration Officials

Acting head of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations since March 9, 2025. Authored a secret memorandum (May 12, 2025) instructing agents they may enter homes by force based solely on administrative warrants — leaked by DHS whistleblowers via Whistleblower Aid. Compared mass deportations to "Amazon trying to get your Prime delivery within 24 hours." A federal judge found he violated at least 96 court orders in Minnesota since January 1, 2026 alone. Ordered to appear in federal court by Chief Judge Schiltz, who accused ICE of failing to comply with "dozens of court orders."

Tom Homan

Administration Officials

Appointed November 2024 as "border czar" overseeing all deportations. Pushed for 3,000 arrests/day. Oversaw CECOT deportation flights that defied a court order, claiming they were "above international waters." Dispatched to Minneapolis in January 2026 to take over operations after two Americans were killed. In February 2026, announced partial withdrawal of 700 agents from Minnesota.

Zohran Mamdani

Resistance & Opposition

New York City elected official who upheld the city's sanctuary laws against federal pressure and organized community defense networks.