Recent ICE attacks and the local Gainesville response
- Rowdy Magazine Submissions
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
What’s going on? What can we do?
By: Carolina Castro, Jack Leary and Savannah Sisk
On Jan. 7, Renee Good was killed in Minneapolis while attempting to maneuver her vehicle away from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Good was a poet, writer and mother to three children. In the wake of the fatal shooting, Minneapolis governor Jacob Frey told ICE to “get the f— out of Minneapolis” in a now-viral clip widely circulated on social media. Frey later walked back the statement on Fox News following the arrest of a local man who was shot after attacking an ICE agent with a snow shovel, calling for peace and decrying retaliatory actions taken by citizens.
“That is not helpful,” said Frey. “You are not helping the undocumented immigrants in our city. You are not helping the people that call this place home.”
13 days after the murder of Renee Good, 5-year-old Liam Ramos was detained by ICE and used as bait in an attempt to lure his mother out of their home. At the time of his abduction he wore a blue knit hat with bunny ears, a flannel shirt, and a spiderman backpack. Minneapolis area superintendent Zena Stenvik claims that Liam is one of four children detained by ICE following their descent into the city.
In Texas, Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old father of four, died in custody at Camp East Montana — an ICE detention center. A little more than two weeks after the murder of Renee Good, a medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. This contradicts an earlier Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report alleging that Campos attempted to commit suicide before losing consciousness while he “violently resisted security staff.”
A few days later, Alex Pretti, 37, was assaulted and shot in a Minneapolis street by several Border Patrol agents. Pretti was an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse at a local hospital. He was also a licensed handgun owner, and do u Minnesota law permits someone with a valid permit to openly carry a handgun. DHS officials claim Pretti approached officers with his 9mm semi-automatic handgun drawn, and “violently resisted” when Border Patrol agents attempted to disarm him.
Locals disagree. So does the evidence.
A video of the shooting shows Pretti approaching officers, his phone drawn in an attempt to record the agents as they detain someone in the street. So do other bystanders — it is, after all, their video the public is left to analyze. When DHS officers shove a bystander to the ground, Pretti attempts to help her to her feet. A DHS officer then grabs Pretti by the hood of his coat and drags him into the street. Three officers pin Pretti to the ground, and one can be seen removing Pretti’s gun from his person. We hear the screams of a woman: “That is police brutality. They are hitting an observer. They’re kicking him in the face.” Shortly afterward, gunfire erupts. The agents step back from Pretti, later pronounced dead at the scene.
Government officials have since made statements sharing various sentiments regarding the incident.
Former acting DHS undersecretary John Cohen called the fatal shooting “a free-for-all,” while current DHS secretary Kristi Noem maintains that Pretti “arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement.” At the same time, President Trump took to social media to complain about a lawsuit hampering the construction of his ballroom, of which demolition began in October 2025.
Senators on either side of the political spectrum have expressed concern about the recent events. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky) appeared on Fox News to suggest that perhaps it is in ICE’s best interests to throw in the towel.
“If the mayor and the governor are going to put our ICE officials in harm’s way, and there’s a chance of losing more innocent lives…” said Comer, “Then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide, ‘Do we want to continue to have all of these illegals?’”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La) posted a tweet stating “The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake.” He has called for a full joint federal and state investigation into the shooting.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer shared that “What’s happening in Minnesota is appalling” and that he and other Democrats would not back a bill funding the DHS.
Meanwhile, social media reactions to the shootings have varied. Some are horrified, others are approving. One way or another, everyone is frustrated. If you’ve been on YikYak in the past month, then you may be all too aware of recent anti-ICE sentiment sweeping the platform. Whether it’s by way of memes, rants, or short, quippy statements, students at University of Florida are making their voices heard.
As all sides of the political spectrum continue arguing, they also increasingly find themselves feeling powerless, as breaking news of ICE attacks come at alarming rates, and there is little that can be done as bystanders. Still, Gainesville students have found a way to make their voices heard.
Within the past two weeks alone, students have organized five demonstrations both on and off campus to make their goal known: ICE and its agents must be stopped. Crowds consisting of over 100 protestors held signs sharing various powerful sentiments such as “ICE terror must end”. Some called directly to UF administrators to take action against the agency and its presence.
These displays of public disapproval have been orchestrated by Students for Socialism (SFS), alongside several partner organizations. SFS continues to set up strikes, local economic shutdowns and walk-outs publicized on their social media and open to all.
“ICE relies upon our ignorance in order to continue their violence upon the immigrant community,” said SFS Vice President Jade Lavan. “By showing up and educating yourselves and spreading this information, you are directly countering this terror they are attempting to inflict.”
While mobilizing may feel hopeless when citizens have little to no resources compared to the agents they’re up against, uniting to condemn the government is more powerful than many realize.
Protesting has been one of the pillars of democracy in the U.S. since its creation. Throughout history, social movements have been marked by the large public outcries that come with them, and for good reason. Peacefully gathering with hundreds of like-minded neighbors who share the same objective is powerful, and can remind you that you are not alone.
We live in a democracy with outlets to make our voices heard in masses. By seeing others as passionate as you fighting for the same cause, we realize that we cannot give up on each other quite yet —and not all is lost. And remember: as citizens we must remain civil. Positioning yourself against violence through violence is hypocritical and dangerous. Our first amendment right protects free speech, and maintaining peace ensures your voice is heard.
Amplifying our voices through demonstration or direct contact with local, state-based, or federal-level officials is essential. If you are interested in reaching out directly, contact Gainesville’s congressional district representative Kat Cammack to demand change.
Carolina Castro is a second-year Marketing student at the University of Florida. This is her third semester as an Online Writer for ROWDY. She is most interested in fashion, politics, music and the local coffee scene in Gainesville.
Jack Leary is a second-year Behavior Analysis student at the University of Florida. This is his second semester as an Online Writer for ROWDY and he is interested in international and domestic relations, politics, music, and pop culture.
Savannah Sisk is a first-year Advertising major at the University of Florida. This is her first semester writing for ROWDY. Her hobbies include reading, thrifting, and writing about herself in the third-person.
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