Why Minnesota Can't Do More to Stop ICE

"America has never seen a moment in modern history like the federal occupation of Minneapolis. Thousands of masked federal officers with uncertain authority are rampaging through the region, assaulting protesters and innocent people, abusing constitutional safeguards, staking out daycares and schools, snatching people off the streets in unmarked vans based on the color of their skin or their accent, and recklessly, relentlessly provoking violent confrontations with civilians-all against the loud, repeatedly expressed wishes of local and state officials."

"Saturday morning, federal agents-apparently from the Border Patrol- shot and killed a 37-year-old nurse, Alex Pretti, amid a chaotic scuffle in front of a well-known Minneapolis donut store after agents began hassling and shoving him in the street. It was the second time this month that federal agents resorted to deadly force within mere seconds after initiating an encounter with a Minneapolis civilian who never posed a threat to agents."

"All of this unnecessary violence raises the question: Why can't elected officials do more to stop this? Apart from the courts, doesn't Minnesota's government have cards it can play in the battle against the Trump-led occupation, like calling out the National Guard for a showdown with federal agents? The answer, in its shortest form, is mostly no, due to the basic foundations of American federalism."

Thousands of masked federal officers with unclear authority are operating in Minneapolis, assaulting protesters and bystanders, undermining constitutional safeguards, staking out daycares and schools, and seizing people in unmarked vans based on perceived race or accent. Federal agents allegedly shot and killed 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti after initiating an encounter, marking a second recent deadly use of force by federal personnel against nonthreatening civilians. Local leaders have repeatedly asked for withdrawal, but state and local governments lack effective tools to remove federal forces. Constitutional limits of American federalism constrain options such as mobilizing the National Guard against federal agents.

Read at WIRED