Target and AFL-CIO Join Calls for ICE to Leave Minnesota After Killing

A federal immigration agent fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 25, 2026, intensifying criticism of federal immigration enforcement in the state and prompting labor and business leaders to demand a de-escalation of operations. The AFL-CIO urged Immigration and Customs Enforcement to withdraw, saying ICE should leave Minnesota before "anyone else is hurt or killed."

The shooting occurred as part of a broader federal deployment known as Operation Metro Surge, which placed immigration officers, including ICE and Border Patrol personnel, in Minnesota after earlier incidents and local unrest. Labor leaders pointed to a pattern of use-of-force complaints, citing the January 7 death of Renée Good as part of the context for heightened tensions. The AFL-CIO and local unions called for a full, transparent investigation and for accountability in both the Pretti killing and related encounters.

Business and community reactions in Minnesota were swift. Several chief executives publicly urged de-escalation amid protests and disruptions that have followed the federal deployment. Target was among the companies mentioned in those calls for de-escalation, a fact that underscores how the clash between federal enforcement and community response is bleeding into the workplace environment for large employers with significant local footprints.

For Target employees and other front-line workers, the escalation has practical consequences. Protests and heightened security presence can mean altered commuting patterns, temporary store disruptions, and increased interactions with law enforcement around store properties. Workers who handle customer-facing roles may be asked to navigate tense situations, and on-site safety concerns can affect morale and scheduling. Local unions and worker representatives are watching closely, and federal employee unions such as the American Federation of Government Employees have also issued statements on the deployment, reflecting concern among government workers whose duties have been affected.

The shootings and subsequent demands for ICE to leave raise questions about corporate responsibility and crisis communications. Employers with Minnesota operations face pressure to ensure employee safety, coordinate with local authorities, and communicate transparently with staff about any operational changes. For unions and worker advocates, the incident reinforces calls for independent investigations and clearer rules governing deployments of federal officers in local communities.

The coming days likely will bring more protests, calls for investigations, and potential legal scrutiny of the shooting. For workers across Minnesota, the immediate priorities are safety, clear employer guidance, and reliable information as investigations proceed and local leaders press for accountability and de-escalation.