Legal AF Podcast
Legal AF Podcast
January 29, 2026

LIVE Alex Pretti Vigil Where Border Patrol Murdered Him | LIVE From Minneapolis

Quick Read

A live report from Minneapolis captures a vigil for Alex Prey, a nurse allegedly murdered by Border Patrol, highlighting community outrage, calls for justice, and deep distrust in federal agencies.
Border Patrol agents involved in Alex Prey's death were placed on administrative leave, with no civil rights investigation initiated by the FBI.
Community members, including nurses and a state senator, expressed profound distrust in federal agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, labeling their actions as 'unconscionable' and 'murderous'.
The vigil showcased strong community solidarity, with attendees vowing to continue protesting and documenting alleged abuses by federal agents.

Summary

This episode reports live from Minneapolis, Minnesota, at a vigil for Alex Prey, a nurse allegedly murdered by Border Patrol agents. The event, organized by nurses, featured New Orleans-style music, bagpipes, and emotional speeches from community members, including fellow nurses, a veteran, and a state senator. Speakers condemned the actions of Border Patrol and ICE, alleging a cover-up and a lack of civil rights investigation into Prey's death. They highlighted the broader impact of federal agency operations on the community, including alleged harassment, unconstitutional actions, and the release of detainees into dangerous conditions. The vigil served as a powerful demonstration of community solidarity and a commitment to continued protest and advocacy for justice.
This event matters because it exposes a community's direct confrontation with federal law enforcement over alleged excessive force and lack of accountability. It illustrates the profound impact of federal immigration policies and agency actions on local communities, raising critical questions about civil rights, government transparency, and the role of agencies like ICE and Border Patrol operating outside traditional jurisdictions. The widespread community support and determination to seek justice underscore a significant challenge to federal authority and a demand for systemic change.

Takeaways

  • Alex Prey, a nurse, was allegedly murdered by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.
  • The agents involved were placed on administrative leave, but no civil rights investigation was opened by the FBI.
  • Community members, including nurses and a state senator, expressed outrage and a complete lack of faith in federal agencies like ICE and Border Patrol.
  • Speakers highlighted alleged abuses by ICE, including detaining U.S. citizens, releasing detainees into dangerous cold without resources, and operating without judicial warrants.
  • The community pledged to continue protesting, documenting abuses, and advocating for the removal of ICE and Border Patrol from Minnesota.
  • The event underscored the strong sense of mutual aid and community support in Minneapolis, with volunteers providing essential services to protesters and released detainees.

Insights

1Lack of Accountability for Border Patrol Agents

The two Border Patrol agents responsible for shooting Alex Prey were placed on administrative leave, which the reporter and speakers criticized as a superficial measure, allowing them to collect paychecks during an internal investigation. No FBI civil rights investigation was opened into the incident, despite calls for one.

Tina Desire Berg states, 'administrative leave doesn't really mean much. They're still going to be able to collect their paychecks while this um investig investigating ourselves kind of thing happens. And I don't think we're going to see any charges.' A speaker adds, 'we don't know who those age uh border patrol agents are, but we do know that they're not going to be opening a civil rights investigation into them.'

2Criticism of DHS and ICE Operations

Speakers expressed profound distrust in federal agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, arguing that their creation under DHS was detrimental to the country. They accused these agencies of acting as 'rogue police,' breaking laws, and causing chaos in communities.

A veteran states, 'I have no faith in the federal government at all. I raised my hand to uphold the constitution... But I have no faith in this regime, this fascist regime as I call it... ICE is not police, but they're behaving like rogue police. It's unforgivable.' The reporter adds, 'in my opinion, it's the worst thing that ever happened to this country, him creating that cabinet because the Department of Justice could hap h handled it.'

3Alex Prey's Actions as a Caregiver

Multiple speakers highlighted Alex Prey's professional identity as a nurse and caregiver, emphasizing that he was attempting to de-escalate a situation and protect a woman when he was killed. His last reported words were, 'Are you okay?' spoken to the woman he was trying to protect.

Ally Maranti, a nurse, states, 'when I watched that horrifying video, I recognized a caregiver. He jumped in to help someone without a second thought to his own safety. After putting himself between the woman and the border patrol agent, he calmly attempted to deescalate the situation.' She adds, 'Reportedly, one of the last things out of Alex Py's mouth as he was being violently wrestled to the pavement was, 'Are you okay?' spoken to the woman he was trying to protect. He was a nurse until the very end.'

4Federal Surveillance of Protesters

Senior national security officials revealed that Homeland Security and the FBI are using more than a dozen secret watch lists with code names like Blue Key, Grapevine, and Hummingbird to track protesters, including anti-ICE and pro-Palestinian groups, labeling them 'domestic terrorists.'

The reporter states, 'two uh, senior national security officials tell me that there are more than a dozen secret and obscure watch lists that Homeland Security and the FBI are using to track protesters, both anti-IC and pro Palestinian quote unquote Antifa and others who are labeled as quote unquote domestic terrorists.'

5ICE Violations of Court Orders and Constitutional Rights

A federal judge, Patrick, canceled a contempt hearing for ICE chief Todd Lyons but stated that ICE has 'violated more court orders than one could imagine' and is 'not a law unto itself.' There are concerns about ICE agents believing they are 'the law' and disregarding Fourth Amendment rights by entering private residences without judicial warrants.

The reporter mentions, 'federal judge Patrick, he canceled the hearing uh with ICE chief Todd Lyons... but he did say that ICE has violated more court orders than one could imagine. Um ICE is not a law unto it unto itself is one of his quotes.' Megan Voys adds, 'they have an internal memo that is claiming that their uh administrative warrants which they sign themselves is enough to do whatever they want and go wherever they want and apprehend whoever and whatever they want.'

Key Concepts

Politicization of Law Enforcement

The concept that law enforcement agencies, particularly federal ones like ICE and Border Patrol, are being used by political administrations to target specific groups (e.g., immigrants, protesters) and suppress dissent, rather than solely upholding the law impartially. This includes using terms like 'domestic terrorist' against protesters and allegedly shutting down investigations for political reasons.

Mutual Aid Network

A system of voluntary, reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit, often arising in response to perceived failures of state or traditional systems. In this context, community members organized to provide food, warmth, phones, and support to protesters and detainees released by federal agencies, demonstrating self-sufficiency and solidarity.

Lessons

  • Support organizations like Haven Watch (now Haven Watch) that provide aid to detainees released by ICE/Border Patrol, especially with cash donations, gas cards, or burner phones.
  • Document and film interactions with ICE and Border Patrol agents to gather evidence of alleged illegal activities and hold them accountable.
  • Engage in peaceful protests and community organizing to advocate for the defunding of ICE and the reform of federal immigration enforcement agencies.

Notable Moments

The vigil features New Orleans-style brass band music and bagpipes, creating a unique atmosphere of both mourning and celebration of life.

This blend of musical traditions reflects the community's desire to honor Alex Prey's life while also expressing collective grief and solidarity.

A retired VA housekeeping worker describes the harsh conditions for nurses in ICU, emphasizing the demanding nature of Alex Prey's work.

This personal account humanizes Alex Prey and underscores the dedication required for his profession, making his death more poignant for the community.

A Montana State Senator, Cora Newman, announces that 27 states are coming to Minnesota to stand in solidarity against federal agent violence.

This highlights the national scope of concern regarding federal agency actions and demonstrates a growing, multi-state movement against perceived overreach and brutality.

A memorial is set up at the exact location where Alex Prey was killed, with candles, flowers, and notes from community members, including a student.

The memorial serves as a tangible focal point for grief and remembrance, symbolizing the community's commitment to preserving his memory and fighting for justice at the site of the tragedy.

Quotes

"

"Our own country shooting us in the back is not just brutal brutality. It's jarring betrayal, not enforcement, but execution. A message. Love your people and you will die."

Candy Matsky (reading Amanda Gorman)
"

"Alex was doing to his last breath... We are here griefing tonight. We are here supporting one another in a community."

N Tamimi
"

"The only domestic terror threat in the state of Minnesota are ICE and Border Patrol agents in our communities causing chaos, tearing apart families, and trampling on our constitutional rights."

Ally Maranti
"

"We are not okay with masked, unidentified federal agents roaming our streets, killing Americans."

Cora Newman

Q&A

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