Federal agents deploy tear gas during Minneapolis protest outside hotel tied to ICE presence

Protest targets hotel amid anger over immigration enforcement

A protest in Minneapolis intensified Sunday night as federal agents used tear gas to disperse demonstrators outside a Home2 Suites by Hilton, according to reporting by The Guardian. Protesters believed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were staying at the hotel following the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who was shot by U.S. border patrol agents.

Video shared from the scene showed chanting crowds and graffiti messages, while heavily armed federal officers guarded the building. The confrontation came amid a wider wave of criticism over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and the increased role of federal enforcement personnel in and around Minneapolis.

State and federal roles disputed after chemical irritants used

The Guardian reported that Minnesota state agencies coordinated parts of the response, but state officials said federal agents used chemical irritants without communicating in advance. The episode added another flashpoint to a rapidly evolving political fight over accountability, jurisdiction, and the tactics used in immigration operations.

The death of Pretti has become a focal point for local and national debate. Critics argue the federal narrative has conflicted with video and witness accounts, while supporters of the crackdown say agents are operating under heightened threats and difficult conditions.

Political fallout continues to widen

The Guardian noted that the killing followed another deadly incident earlier in January involving Renée Nicole Good, fueling renewed protests and calls for changes to federal immigration enforcement. With investigations and legal challenges expected to continue, Minneapolis has emerged as a central battleground in the broader national dispute over immigration policy and federal power.

City and state leaders urged calm while demanding clarity on the chain of command and the decision-making that led to the use of tear gas. Demonstrators said they planned to keep organizing, while officials warned that vandalism and attempts to breach buildings would prompt enforcement action.