Chung Joins Legislators Across the Country in Supporting Minnesotans

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, joins more than 600 state legislators from over 48 states across the country to release a joint national statement regarding the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/ Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) occupation of Minneapolis, MN, and the killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, and others at the hands of DHS and ICE.

The statement reads, in full:

“We, the undersigned state legislators from across this country, contend we are at a decisive moment in our nation’s history. For a nation founded 250 years ago on the basic and fundamental principles of freedom, liberty, and inalienable rights, having armed masked federal agents on our streets engaging in a campaign of wanton destruction threatens to destroy these foundational values that underpin our democracy. 

We are stepping into extraordinarily dangerous territory in this country and have reached an unimaginable point where ICE and Border Patrol agents have now, twice within one month, killed US citizens on camera while the federal government tells us not to believe our own eyes.

Further, the vast majority of ICE arrests in our cities and suburbs are of those with no criminal record, while due process and search and seizure rights guaranteed by our Constitution are not just being violated daily: chillingly, per a leaked memo, these violations are sanctioned by the Department of Homeland Security.

We stand with the people of Minnesota and demand that ICE and Border Patrol leave Minnesota immediately.  

We demand a full and independent investigation into the shootings and deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as others, over the last year.

Finally, we demand the restoration of our American values and principles to our federal government, an end to the abductions and killings, an end to the occupation of our towns and cities, and an end to Congressional funding for ICE.”

Chung has been outspoken in condemning ICE, including in a statement responding to ICE presence in her district and in Minnesota.

“The violence we are seeing across America by federal agents is horrifying, to say the least,” said Chung. “To see our Constitutional rights be eroded is disheartening, but what keeps up our spirits is the protests we’re seeing around the country. People are in the streets telling our federal government what they think, and they’re protecting their communities at the same time. I stand with my colleagues and the Minnesotans who are fighting for their livelihood and are demanding a full investigation into the murders of Alex Pretti, Renee Good and all who have died at the hands of federal immigration enforcement.

Chung recently passed House Bill 1312, protecting people from ICE violence at locations including hospitals, courthouses and daycares. Last month, she co-sponsored House Resolution 622, condemning federal violence and lawlessness, and calling for DHS Secretary Noem’s immediate resignation or impeachment. 

The full joint statement can be found here.