Most of the federal government may shut down by the end of the week, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol operations are expected to continue, especially in Minneapolis, where recent fatal shootings by federal agents have sparked national outrage and intense debate over immigration enforcement.

Tensions escalated after Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and intensive care unit nurse, in Minneapolis on Saturday. Earlier this month, ICE officers shot and killed another Minneapolis resident, Renee Good. Both incidents have drawn widespread condemnation, with body camera footage from the Pretti shooting currently under review by federal investigators, according to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson. The agents involved belonged to a specialized tactical unit, and multiple sources indicate that oversight and use-of-force protocols are now under scrutiny.

The events have fueled calls for major changes in federal immigration policy and have sharply divided Congress. Senate Democrats have vowed not to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without new restrictions on ICE and Border Patrol tactics. Their opposition may block passage of a $1.3 trillion spending package, risking a partial government shutdown that could start as early as Friday night. Despite this, ICE would likely continue its enforcement activities due to multi-year funding increases passed last year under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Trump administration, facing backlash over the shootings, has announced a leadership shakeup in Minneapolis. Border czar Tom Homan is replacing Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who was demoted. President Trump said he had “very good” conversations with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey about de-escalating tensions. First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both urged peaceful protest, while lawmakers across party lines have called for independent investigations and congressional hearings on ICE and Border Patrol conduct.

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