A wave of grief and outrage is sweeping through the nursing community following the death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse shot during an encounter with federal agents in Minneapolis. Pretti, a veteran who dedicated his life to caring for others at the VA hospital, was observing a federal immigration enforcement operation when the shooting occurred.
The incident has ignited a fierce response from National Nurses United, a union representing over 225,000 nurses, who have announced a campaign to abolish ICE. They assert Pretti’s death was a direct consequence of the agency’s actions and vow his sacrifice will not be forgotten.
The union framed Pretti’s actions as upholding his professional oath – advocating for and protecting his community. They describe his presence as a peaceful, public observation of what they characterize as ICE’s harmful practices, a commitment to patient care extended beyond the hospital walls.
A “week of action” has been initiated, designed to honor Pretti and others who have died during encounters with ICE, while simultaneously demanding Congress dismantle the agency. The call to action centers on the belief that ICE poses a significant threat to public health and community well-being.
Details surrounding the events leading up to the shooting remain under scrutiny. Reports indicate Pretti was armed with a concealed handgun at the time of the encounter, raising questions about his preparedness for a potential confrontation with federal agents.
Concerns are also being raised regarding increasingly radical rhetoric within segments of the nursing profession. Online posts attributed to healthcare workers have surfaced, containing disturbing calls for violence against federal employees.
One individual, identified as a healthcare worker, allegedly posted videos advocating for the use of paralyzing drugs and poisons against ICE agents, even suggesting deceptive tactics to harm them. These posts have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
Another nurse reportedly posted a video expressing wishes for severe childbirth injuries upon a federal employee, further fueling the debate about the boundaries of political activism within the healthcare field. The implications of such statements for professional licensure are now being examined.
National Nurses United has also been actively disseminating resources to its members on how to obstruct ICE operations within hospital settings. This follows a policy change by the previous administration that removed hospitals from the designation of “sensitive areas” protected from immigration enforcement.
The union argues that hospitals should remain sanctuaries for healing, free from the fear of immigration enforcement, and that armed agents impede nurses’ ability to provide effective patient care. They are urging members to advocate for patients regardless of immigration status.
Beyond direct action and resource sharing, the union is mobilizing its members to aggressively lobby Congress for the abolition of ICE, employing strong language and imagery to convey the urgency of their demands.
