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Trump Promises ‘Honest Investigation’ Into Alex Pretti’s Death

Michael Esparza
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Trump Promises ‘Honest Investigation’ Into Alex Pretti’s Death

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration will conduct an “honest investigation” into the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis over the weekend.

White House Shifts Tone After Backlash

Trump called the shooting “very unfortunate” and said he does not believe Alex Pretti was acting as an “assassin,” distancing himself from earlier statements by senior aides. Video of the incident showed Pretti was disarmed before agents fired, contradicting initial official claims.

Review of Federal Agent Conduct Underway

Senior White House adviser Stephen Miller acknowledged that agents may have breached protocol and said the operation is under review. A preliminary CBP report indicates two agents fired their weapons and does not show Pretti reaching for his legally registered firearm.

Steps Taken to Ease Tensions in Minnesota

The administration has sent border enforcement official Tom Homan to Minneapolis and moved to reassign a Border Patrol commander as protests continue. State and local leaders are urging federal authorities to scale back enforcement while the investigation remains ongoing.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Judge Temporarily Blocks Deportation of 5-Year-Old and Father

Edward Saenz
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Judge Temporarily Blocks Deportation of 5-Year-Old and Father

A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father after they were taken into immigration custody last week in Minnesota.

Father and Son Detained in Texas

Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias and his son, Liam Ramos, are being held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued an order preventing their deportation while the case is being litigated.

The ruling also bars federal authorities from transferring the pair out of the judicial district where they are currently detained.

Arrest Followed Incident Outside Home

According to the Department of Homeland Security, federal agents attempted to arrest Conejo Arias in Minneapolis when he fled the scene, leaving his son behind as the child was returning home from preschool.

Some ICE officers stayed with the child while others pursued Conejo Arias, who was arrested shortly afterward, DHS said.

Dispute Over Child’s Custody

Democratic lawmakers have alleged the child was “kidnapped” and used as leverage to detain his father. DHS rejected those claims, saying officers tried multiple times to have the boy’s mother take custody, but she refused.

Afterward, authorities said they honored the father’s request that his son remain with him while in custody. DHS confirmed both are being detained together in Texas.

Immigration Status at Issue

DHS said Conejo Arias entered the United States illegally in December 2024 and was later released. The family’s attorney maintains he has a pending asylum claim that allows him to remain in the country while his case is reviewed.

Federal officials also said Conejo Arias was offered voluntary return to Ecuador without immigration penalties but declined the option.

Legal Fight Continues

The temporary order will remain in effect as the court considers the case, keeping the father and son in the United States while legal challenges to their detention and potential deportation proceed.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Three Migrants Have Now Died at El Paso ICE Facility

Indira Zaldivar
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Three Migrants Have Now Died at El Paso ICE Facility

Three migrants have died at the Camp East Montana detention center in East El Paso, raising renewed scrutiny of conditions inside the ICE-run facility near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Cuban Migrant’s Death Ruled a Homicide

Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban migrant, died in custody on Jan. 3. ICE initially said he suffered “medical distress,” but the El Paso County Medical Examiner later ruled his death a homicide caused by asphyxia from neck and torso compression.

Witness accounts reported by The Washington Post alleged that guards choked Lunas Campos, details not included in ICE’s original statement. DHS later said Lunas Campos attempted suicide and resisted officers before his death.

Court Blocks Deportation of Key Witnesses

On Jan. 27, federal attorneys agreed to a preliminary injunction preventing six migrant witnesses from being deported. Senior U.S. District Judge David Briones accepted the agreement during a hearing in El Paso.

The migrants are expected to give sworn depositions about what they witnessed leading up to Lunas Campos’ death. ICE officials also agreed not to move the witnesses from the El Paso facility until the end of February.

Family Seeks Accountability and Answers

Lunas Campos’ family has filed a petition to preserve testimony as they prepare a wrongful death lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and private contractors Akima Global Services, LLC, and Acquisition Logistics, LLC, which operate and staff the facility.

Civil rights attorney Christopher Benoit said preserving eyewitness testimony is critical to establishing an independent account of what happened, separate from the government’s version. Attorneys have also requested that ICE preserve and release surveillance footage from inside the facility.

Witnesses Describe Final Moments

According to court filings, multiple migrants reported hearing Lunas Campos repeatedly say, “No puedo respirar” — “I can’t breathe.” Others described sounds of a physical struggle and what appeared to be a body hitting a wall or floor.

One witness said Lunas Campos’ voice went silent after pleading that he could not breathe.

Depositions Expected Soon

The six migrants — Santos Jesus Flores, Antonio Ascon Frometa, Henry Negrin Bolaño, Jenrry Melendez, Mayron Pazpuerto, and Cobi Ardenis Nazareth — are expected to be interviewed in the coming days.

After depositions are completed, the court will decide whether the witnesses can remain in the United States as the family moves forward with litigation.

Calls for Broader Reform

Attorneys for the family say the case is not only about justice for Lunas Campos, but about preventing similar deaths in ICE detention facilities nationwide.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Houston City Council meeting erupts with calls to end ICE cooperation

ABC13 Houston
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Houston City Council meeting erupts with calls to end ICE cooperation

By Luke Jones, ABC13 Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — After two deadly shootings at the hands of federal agents in Minnesota, around 100 people attended Tuesday’s Houston City Council meeting to demand that the city end all cooperation with ICE.

“Get ICE the (expletive) out of Houston!” Adam Laureano-Bowie shouted.

“John Whitmire, guess what? Bending the knee to Greg Abbott will not save this city,” said Hayley Rodgers.

Gov. Greg Abbott was among the prominent voices in the wake of the Alex Pretti shooting, calling on the Trump administration to rethink its immigration enforcement efforts.

“They, being the White House, need to recalibrate on what needs to be done to make sure that that respect is going to be re-instilled,” Abbott said on Monday on the Mark Davis show.

According to ICE figures obtained by the Deportation Data Project, arrests in the ICE-defined Houston area increased 130 percent from 2024 to 2025.

“I absolutely disagree with Governor Abbott to recalibrate ICE. The people voted for mass deportations,” said Maria Espinoza with The Remembrance Project, a group that highlights the stories of Americans killed by undocumented immigrants.

None of the people who spoke during Tuesday’s public comment session voiced support for immigration enforcement efforts.

Viana Truong, who said her father was deported two weeks ago, sought assurances from the mayor “for HPD to limit cooperation with ICE where possible and to protect immigrant families who call this city home.”

“You’re all complicit by the way,” Katya Licona told city council members. “I don’t care if you’re speaking up. You’re not doing enough.”

While the mayor stayed silent on the subject of immigration enforcement on Tuesday night, he previously said HPD only alerts ICE when officers come across someone with an ICE warrant, like it would for a warrant from any agency.

But many who spoke on Tuesday don’t want HPD to do that.

“HPD should solely focus on local matters,” Councilman Edward Pollard said.

“So ignore those warrants?” Eyewitness News asked.

“HPD should solely focus on local matters,” Pollard responded.

Others say that would be a mistake. Of almost 3,600 Houston area ICE arrests over a six-week period last year, ICE said 26 percent had committed non immigration related crimes.

“Gather your families and select which one you will sacrifice for someone else to supposedly have a better life,” Espinoza said in response to people calling for ICE to withdraw from Houston.

Eyewitness News asked Whitmire’s office for a response to any of the comments made at Tuesday’s meeting. His office released a statement praising the success of the meeting but avoiding any talk of immigration enforcement.

For news updates, follow Luke Jones on Facebook, X and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Another round of frost Wednesday morning, more arctic air arrives for the weekend

ABC13 Houston
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Another round of frost Wednesday morning, more arctic air arrives for the weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We’ll get to enjoy some milder afternoons Wednesday and Thursday, but we aren’t done with freezes just yet. In fact, another blast of arctic air is blowing in on Friday.

We expect a widespread light freeze to bring another round of frost on vehicles, rooftops, and grassy surfaces. We’ll get an abundance of sunshine to help warm temperatures into the mid 50s. Similar weather is expected for Thursday, but this time we’ll warm all the way into the 60s, close to our seasonal average of 65.

I heard another arctic front is coming this weekend. Is that true?

We do predict another round of arctic air will arrive Friday. We will likely see lows in the 20s again this weekend, but at this time it is unclear if we’ll make into hard freeze territory (24 or colder).

Will we get a chance for any frozen precipitation with this next front?

No. This front will pass through dry Thursday night, and no precipitation is expected behind the front.

This is too cold for Houston! When will it warm up again?

After this frigid weekend, we should have more seasonal temperatures with lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s. By next Wednesday we could even have a “warm” rain with temperatures near 60.

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This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine!

Woman Shot by CBP Seeks Public Release of Evidence

Edward Saenz
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Woman Shot by CBP Seeks Public Release of Evidence

An attorney for a Chicago woman shot five times by a Customs and Border Protection agent is asking a federal judge to allow key evidence in the case to be made public, arguing it is necessary to correct what he calls ongoing damage to her reputation.

Shooting During Operation Midway Blitz

Marimar Martinez was wounded during an Oct. 4, 2025, incident tied to “Operation Midway Blitz,” after her vehicle collided with an SUV driven by a supervisory Border Patrol agent. Martinez and another man were later charged with assaulting federal officers, but prosecutors dismissed the case against her in late November.

Call to Lift Protective Order

Martinez’s attorney, Chris Parente, is seeking to modify a protective order that currently blocks the release of body camera footage, photographs, and electronic communications. He argues the evidence should be disclosed to inform the public and counter what he describes as misleading government statements that continue to label Martinez a “domestic terrorist.”

Disputed Accounts and Video Evidence

Parente has said body camera footage does not align with the government’s version of events and has alleged that an agent appeared to provoke the collision before opening fire. Prosecutors have disputed that characterization.

Allegations of Evidence Mishandling

The defense has also raised concerns about how evidence was handled, including the release and cleaning of the agent’s vehicle after the shooting. A judge later ordered the SUV returned to Chicago and required the agent to testify in person.

Texts Under Scrutiny

During court proceedings, Parente cited text messages allegedly sent by the agent to friends and family that appeared to boast about the shooting, including one message referencing the number of shots fired and wounds inflicted.

Push for Transparency

Parente says making the evidence public is critical not only for Martinez, but for broader public understanding of how the Department of Homeland Security responds to shootings involving its agents. Martinez, who was released from custody after charges were dropped, has said she is grateful for the dismissal and intends to continue seeking justice.

For more on Martinez’s case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Trump Seeks Conciliation as Fallout Grows Over Minneapolis ICE Shootings

Indira Zaldivar
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Trump Seeks Conciliation as Fallout Grows Over Minneapolis ICE Shootings

President Donald Trump is traveling to Iowa this week to spotlight affordability ahead of the midterm elections, even as his administration faces mounting backlash over a second fatal shooting by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.

White House Signals Shift in Tone

After weeks of hardline rhetoric, Trump struck a more conciliatory note Monday, saying he had “great calls” with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey following the latest killing of a protester by federal agents. The move marked a noticeable pivot as tensions remain high after two deadly encounters in less than two weeks.

The White House has previously blamed Democratic leaders for unrest tied to immigration enforcement protests, but recent video evidence has complicated that narrative.

Administration Recalibrates After Pretti Shooting

Videos circulating online appear to contradict early claims that ICU nurse Alex Pretti posed an active threat to ICE agents. In response, the administration has reshuffled leadership in Minnesota, placing White House border czar Tom Homan in charge of immigration operations and signaling that Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino is leaving the city.

Bovino had been a central figure in Trump’s aggressive, city-by-city immigration crackdowns nationwide, drawing sharp criticism from civil rights advocates and local officials.

Judicial Pressure Mounts

The chief federal judge in Minnesota has ordered ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons to appear in court Friday to explain why detained immigrants have been denied required hearings. The judge cited the administration’s failure to prepare for a flood of legal challenges after deploying thousands of agents to the state.

Political Backlash Intensifies

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman called on Trump to fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after two protesters were fatally shot. Fetterman accused Noem of betraying DHS’s mission and urged Trump not to repeat what he described as President Biden’s mistake of retaining an “incompetent” secretary.

Bovino’s Departure and Enforcement Criticism

Bovino, known for unapologetic statements about relentless enforcement, has faced condemnation for claiming Pretti planned to “massacre” officers, an assertion authorities have not substantiated. His exit comes as the administration scales back its visible federal presence in Minneapolis.

Calls for Unity From the First Lady

First lady Melania Trump added her voice to calls for calm, urging Americans to protest peacefully and “unify in these times” during a Fox News interview. Her remarks went further than the president’s in explicitly condemning violence.

Credibility Questions Loom

The conflicting accounts surrounding Pretti’s death have raised broader concerns about the administration’s trust and credibility. Lawmakers from both parties, including Republicans, are now calling for independent investigations, as video evidence appears to diverge sharply from official statements.

Balancing Policy and Crisis

Trump’s Iowa visit is part of a broader strategy to focus on affordability and energy policy while campaigning ahead of the midterms. But repeated crises tied to immigration enforcement continue to derail that message, underscoring the political risks as scrutiny over federal actions in Minnesota intensifies.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Comedian Says TikTok Silenced Video Criticizing ICE

Michael Esparza
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Comedian Says TikTok Silenced Video Criticizing ICE

Comedian Megan Stalter says she was unable to post a video on TikTok urging fellow Christians to speak out against ICE raids in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of nurse Alex Pretti.

Video Gains Traction on Instagram, Not TikTok

In the video, Stalter called for the abolition of ICE, saying she believed it aligned with Christian values. The clip was reposted more than 12,000 times on Instagram, but Stalter said repeated attempts to upload it to TikTok failed. She later deleted her TikTok account, believing her content was being censored.

Wider Claims of Posting Issues

In a video that did make it through TikTok’s uploading process, Jen Hamilton calls herself a “fashion influencer” and speaks in code about her trouble uploading an earlier video about 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. – Jen Hamilton/TikTok

Other users reported similar problems uploading videos related to ICE over the weekend, drawing the attention of Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who raised concerns about possible censorship.

TikTok denied suppressing content, attributing upload issues to a power outage at a U.S. data center. The company said the technical problems were unrelated to recent news events and that service is gradually being restored.

Trust Concerns After Ownership Shift

The controversy comes days after a new U.S.-based joint venture took control of TikTok’s American operations under a Trump-era law. Technology ethics professor Casey Fiesler said the timing has fueled skepticism among users, especially given the app’s new ties to companies aligned with the Trump administration.

Creators Remain Wary

Several prominent creators, including nurse and author Jen Hamilton, reported difficulties posting ICE-related content around the same time. While no proof of deliberate censorship has emerged, experts say the opaque nature of TikTok’s algorithm makes such claims difficult to verify.

Even so, uncertainty is driving some users away. According to market data, TikTok uninstalls have surged in recent days as concerns grow over content moderation and trust on the platform.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Forensic Expert Flags ‘Strange’ Moment in ICE Shooting Video

Indira Zaldivar
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Forensic Expert Flags ‘Strange’ Moment in ICE Shooting Video

A forensic psychologist is drawing renewed attention to a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, highlighting what he describes as a “strange” and easily overlooked moment in video footage showing the death of Alex Pretti on Jan. 24.

Another Deadly Encounter Raises Questions

Pretti’s killing comes less than a month after the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother fatally shot in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, placing Immigration and Customs Enforcement once again at the center of public controversy.

Pretti, an ICU nurse known for assisting U.S. veterans, was pepper-sprayed, restrained, and ultimately shot multiple times by ICE agents during an encounter that ended his life.

Conflicting Accounts From Authorities

Following the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security said Pretti had “violently resisted” officers and confirmed he was carrying a 9mm handgun. Officials did not initially disclose that Pretti had a legal permit to carry the weapon or that it was holstered when agents first engaged him.

Video footage later appeared to show an agent removing the gun from Pretti before shots were fired. Multiple camera angles and eyewitness accounts also suggest Pretti was holding a phone, not a firearm, at the time he was pepper-sprayed and restrained.

Video Evidence Fuels Public Scrutiny

As tensions remain high in Minnesota, the killing has sparked intense online debate, with viewers closely examining available footage to form their own conclusions. Pretti, a U.S. citizen, was shot repeatedly—possibly more than 10 times—after being disarmed, according to video and family statements.

Psychologist Points to Officer’s Actions

Clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. JP Garrison reviewed the footage and focused on the conduct of an officer wearing a gray jacket. According to Garrison, that officer removed Pretti’s gun and then turned and ran away from the scene.

“What’s strange is the behavior of the man who pulled the gun out,” Garrison said on his YouTube channel. He noted the officer did not appear to announce that Pretti had been disarmed. “It would be a really bad idea to turn your back on someone if you believe they are still armed and dangerous.”

Garrison said the lack of communication and the officer’s decision to flee the immediate area raised serious questions about the perceived threat level at that moment.

Federal Response and Investigation

Amid growing backlash, President Donald Trump addressed the incident, saying his administration is reviewing the case. While condemning the shooting, Trump also referenced concerns about armed individuals at protests.

Trump later announced he had sent former ICE Director Tom Homan to Minnesota to investigate Pretti’s death, describing him as “tough but fair” and confirming that a “major investigation” is underway.

For more on the fatal shooting of Pretti and pending investigation, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

TranStar reports ice on major roadways around Houston area after overnight hard freeze Tuesday

ABC13 Houston
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TranStar reports ice on major roadways around Houston area after overnight hard freeze Tuesday

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Drivers in some parts of southeast Texas woke up Tuesday to ice on major roadways as a hard freeze settled in overnight following a winter storm that sent temperatures plummeting.

Houston TranStar reports that three roadways are closed and being treated for ice.

All IH-45 northbound lanes between the Galveston Causeway Bridge and the Highway 6 to SH-146 interchange were shut down at 3 a.m. The Texas Department of Transportation said the roadway is undergoing treatment, and traffic has begun moving at a steady pace.

SEE ALSO: Harris County officials say preparedness paid off during winter storm

One northbound lane and the shoulder at SH-146 at Port Road near Manvel were impacted as crews treated the area, which was roped off at 5 a.m. TranStar cameras later showed traffic flowing without issues.

Both left and right-hand interchange ramps on Beltway 8 eastbound at IH-69 Eastex Freeway had reports of ice near Humble.

All statuses are available live on Houston TranStar’s website and the ABC13 mobile app.

An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until noon on Tuesday, and the forecast indicates another drop in temperatures this upcoming weekend.

SEE ALSO: Houston avoids worst-case weather scenarios after winter weekend storm

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

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