Given the recent violent acts perpetrated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and the Border Patrol, political leaders in North Carolina issued calls for reforms to ensure human dignity and justice.
The North Carolina House Progressive Caucus condemned the violent actions of federal agents in Minneapolis. The statement comes after the Border Patrol killing of Renee Good and y Alex Pretti, both US citizens.
“The tactics of ICE and the Border Patrol are not only unconstitutional, because they do not guarantee due process or equal protection under the law, but they are also immoral,” Representative Deb Butler told Enlace Latino NC.
“We must condemn this behavior and participate in vigils, marches, and protests to show that we do not accept this conduct,” the caucus co-chair added.
Butler added that his team is working on state legislation. They are seeking to reintroduce the HB bills 78 and 80, which protect immigrants in churches, schools and hospitals, among other measures.
From the North Carolina Senate, Democratic legislator Michael Garrett participated in a National Day of Solidarity in Minnesota against violence and federal immigration policies.
Former Governor and Senate Candidate: Roy Cooper
Former governor and Senate candidate Roy Cooper called for immediate reforms before approving more funding for ICE and the Border Patrol.
“The federal government should deport violent criminals, but instead they have killed American citizens,” Cooper said on his X account.
—Roy Cooper (@RoyCooperNC) January 26, 2026
"Americans deserve answers, and any additional funding for these ICE operations must be accompanied by immediate reforms that end this chaos and keep people safe."
Divided over the vote that funds the DHS
The vote on funding has generated disagreement within the Democratic Party. Democratic Congressman Don Davis supported the Republicans on a measure that funds the DHS including funding for ICE and the Border Patrol.
“I’m disappointed in Congressman Davis for that vote because I think he’s trying, I suppose, to please the voters in his district with that decision. And I don’t know, I don’t believe in my heart that he did it out of any moral conviction. So, I would encourage him from now on to vote according to his conscience, not according to his chances of reelection,” said Representative Butler.
Related: More than 425 people were arrested in “Operation Charlotte's Web”
Republican Senator Thom Tillis calls for investigation
Republican Senator Thom Tillis, whose seat Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley are vying for, called for 'a thorough and impartial investigation' into the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
“There must be a thorough and impartial investigation into yesterday’s shooting in Minneapolis, which is the basic standard that the public and law enforcement expect after any shooting involving an officer,” Tillis posted on X.
“Any administration official who rushes to judgment and tries to shut down an investigation before it even begins is causing enormous harm to the nation and to President Trump’s legacy,” he added.
For his part, Congressman Chuck Edwards, also a Republican who represents the western part of the state, supported having the leaders of ICE, the Border Patrol, and USCIS testify before Congress.
Edwards emphasized, in his count ofthat “law enforcement officers deserve due process and the public deserves accountability.”
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Response from other members of Congress
Democratic congresswomen, such as Alma Adams, Deborah Ross and Valerie Foushee, condemned the actions of the federal agents.
Congresswoman Ross said she didn't want "heavily armed men acting in our name and with our tax dollars to intimidate and kill with impunity." Congresswoman Foushee called Pretti's death an act of murder.
For her part, Congresswoman Adams described the violence as a “continued assault and an act of terror against the American people.”
Adams added that in Charlotte there have also been what he described as random attacks against citizens and non-citizens by the federal government.
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