Pasadena Now: Area Congressional Representatives Demand ICE Reform, Back Noem Impeachment After Minneapolis Deaths
Three congressional representatives serving the Pasadena and Altadena area called for major federal immigration enforcement reforms on Tuesday, responding to the deaths of two U.S. citizens shot by federal agents in Minneapolis this month.
Reps. Laura Friedman (CA-30), Judy Chu (CA-28), and Brad Sherman (CA-32) held a joint press conference announcing their support for impeaching Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and backing multiple legislative efforts to increase accountability for federal immigration agents. Friedman’s district includes Altadena and a portion of Pasadena, while Chu’s district encompasses much of Pasadena and the west San Gabriel Valley.
“Two Americans are dead, and federal agents are violating the Constitution, detaining Americans, and making our communities less safe without any accountability,” Friedman said, according to a press release from her office. “No American, in Minnesota or California or any state in our union, should live under fear of an unchecked federal force.”
The press conference followed the deaths of Renee Nicole Good, 37, shot by an ICE agent on January 7, and Alex Pretti, 37, a VA hospital ICU nurse shot by Border Patrol agents on January 24. Both were U.S. citizens killed during Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis that has deployed more than 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota.
Friedman is an original cosponsor of impeachment articles introduced January 14 by Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), which now have support from more than 160 House Democrats, according to Kelly’s office. The articles charge Noem with obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing. The impeachment effort is unlikely to succeed with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress.
The DHS has defended its enforcement actions, with officials saying agents acted in self-defense in both Minneapolis shootings. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin has called the impeachment effort “silly” and said the department “enforces the laws Congress passes.”
Friedman announced she will not vote for any ICE or DHS funding until Operation Metro Surge ends, federal agents wear clear identification, officers who violate the Constitution are held accountable, warrants are required for arrests and searches, use-of-force standards are mandated, and U.S. citizens are no longer improperly detained.
She is also co-leading the No Masks for ICE Act with Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), which would prohibit ICE agents from concealing their identities during enforcement actions. The representatives also support the Bivens Act, led by Reps. Hank Johnson and Jamie Raskin, which would allow citizens to sue federal officials for constitutional violations.
“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, ICE has descended into a lawless, violent force with zero accountability,” Chu said in a January 15 press release announcing her support for impeachment. “Secretary Noem is responsible for this violence.”
Friedman also called for the termination of Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol official who led Operation Metro Surge. Bovino was removed from the Minneapolis operation this week after drawing criticism for his public statements following Pretti’s death.
Chu, who has represented Pasadena in Congress since 2009, has conducted oversight visits to immigration detention facilities and intervened in individual deportation cases affecting constituents.
The livestream of Tuesday’s press conference is available on the representatives’ official channels.
“If a local police chief acted like Kristi Noem, I’d be fighting to make sure they’re out of a job before the sun set,” Friedman said. “It’s time for action.”