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Indian American lawmakers flay Trump over ICE 'killing'
The lawmakers expressed grief and called for an end to qualified immunity for ICE.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Wed, 07, Jan 2026
- 23:58 EST
- 102
(Top L-R) Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam (Bottom L-R) Shri Thanedar, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal / Wikimedia commons
Indian-origin Democratic U.S. lawmakers have united against the recent "sickening and appalling" shooting of a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis by a U.S. immigration agent.
The incident occurred on Jan. 7 amid an immigration enforcement surge, the victim was stopped by ICE agents who tried to open her car's door. The woman accelerated her car and an ICE agent fatally shot her in response.
ALSO READ: ICE killing in Minneapolis triggers political backlash
The Democratic lawmakers have united in the claim that the woman was trying to leave the spot, amid allegations from the Republican side that she had "weaponized" her vehicle and was attempting to run the federal agent over.
Lambasting ICE and President Donald Trump's backing off the agency, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said in a statement, "This is Donald Trump's America: a woman is dead because ICE is operating with impunity in our neighborhoods...When federal agents are unleashed without restraint or oversight, the consequences are deadly—and the responsibility for this killing is on their hands."
Expressing his condolences, he added, "This horrific loss of life is devastating and never should have happened. My heart is with her family and loved ones, who are now grieving a senseless tragedy."
Describing the incident as "horrific," Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal remarked, "ICE is not making our communities safer — they are putting innocent lives in harm’s way. We must put a stop to this."Jayapal also responded to the claims by the Trump administration and said, "The woman did NOT “weaponize her vehicle.” She did NOT “attempt to run over law enforcement officers.” She was trying to drive away from the scene. ICE shot and killed her."
Congressman Shri Thanedar blamed President Trump for the fatality and said, "This was always the inevitable end result of Trump’s reckless policy of using ICE to terrorize communities."
He added, "A 37 year old woman, a US Citizen, has now been shot and killed by ICE." Rep. Thanedar also called for an end to qualified immunity for ICE.
Rep. Ami Bera remarked, "This video out of Minneapolis is sickening and appalling. This is a tragic consequence of the Administration permitting ICE officers to act with impunity. No one deserves this treatment."
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam called for an investigation into the issue and said, "Many Americans are fearful of lethal consequences for exercising their First Amendment right to protest this corrupt administration. An investigation is needed into this ICE shooting."
Rep. Ro Khanna described the incident as a "reckless use of power" and demanded, "This ICE agent should be arrested and put on trial."
Rep. Krishnamoorthi also volunteered to co-sponsor Congresswoman Robin Kelly's proposal to file articles against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
While the Democrats criticized the ICE action, President Trump's support to the federal agency stood unwavered. Trump described the victim of the shooting as "disorderly, obstructing and resisting" and argued that she "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer."
President Trump also claimed that the agent had discharged his weapon in self defense and added that the agent is safe and is recovering. However, a video of the incident suggests that the vehicle did not make contact with the agent who had stepped out of harm's way seconds before the vehicle could possibly make contact.
Trump also blamed the "Radical Left" for the incident and remarked that their "threatening, assaulting, and targeting our Law Enforcement Officers and ICE Agents on a daily basis" was the cause of the deadly incident.
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