By: Shelby Allen

After the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, there has been a lot of attention on ICE officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. People have been protesting to get ICE removed from the streets of Minneapolis. 

However, the government has not done anything to have them removed and people have started to give up hope that anything will be done. A Google Form was created and posted to several social media platforms to get opinions of native West Virginia residents. 

When asked about their political affiliation 14.3% of respondents identified themselves as conservative or republican, 14.3% self-identified as moderate, 28.6% identified as liberal or democrat, another 14.3% as independent, and 28.6% as other. All of the respondents said they had heard about the incidents with ICE in Minneapolis, Minnesota from social media. 

Most respondents disagree with ICE’s actions but one in particular said “Some humans should die because what gives them the right to decide to treat people in such a way for something they cannot control and did not do.” Another said “fund ICE more”. One conflicted respondent said “I believe the Good shooting was justified as the officer was struck by the vehicle. I believe the Pretti shooting was a complete violation of a man’s second amendment rights and the officers involved should be prosecuted.” 

Another person felt very strongly and said “Weaponizing fire alarms, something that is supposed to help protect us, as an aid to harm others is absolute insanity. There are TEACHERS invading students privacy and going through their files to see their parents and call ice on these innocent kids is showing us just how safe schools really are for our kids. America is supposed to be about life and liberty, how are we supposed to build a good life here and have the freedom to express ourselves if we’re worried for our children’s safety? We have completely strayed from the entire concept of what this country is supposed to be and our ancestors would be disappointed and so would our God, “no man is illegal on stolen land”.” Others said it is “devastatingly disgusting” and “needs to be stopped before it turns into another Holocaust” 

When asked if their opinion of ICE has changed 57.1% of respondents said yes, while the other 42.9% said no. Respondents were also asked “if they support ICE, why?” and “if they do not support ICE why?” Someone who supports ICE said “At the end of the day they are needed for customs and to deport people who are here legally. Although the Pretti shooting was disgusting and warrants an investigation into ICE’s training structure, they are still needed. I think a comparable situation would be the Waco massacre and Ruby Ridge killings by the ATF which was another disgusting misuse of government power, but I don’t think people should treat ATF agents like how ICE officers have been treated.”

People who do not support ICE gave reasons like : “They are killing and torturing these innocent people and children and weaponizing the things that are supposed to keep us safe.” “They abuse their power.” “I do not because they are clearly committing crimes and wrongfully accusing/deporting people because they look a certain way or maybe just because they have an accent.” “Murdering people in the middle of the street is outrageous.”

Photo from Fox News