Lawler Calls for Immigration Policy Action After Shootings

Rep. Mike Lawler (RN.Y.) urged the government on Tuesday to “wake up” regarding immigration policy and to reassess the tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following a shooting incident that occurred in Minneapolis over the weekend.

In a guest essay, Lawler expressed concern that “the loudest voices on each side have retreated to their usual corners.” He argued that these extremes have a vested interest in keeping immigration issues unresolved and politically charged. “Everyone else needs to understand,” he noted, “that Congress and the president must engage with the legitimate worries Americans have about how immigration policy is being handled.”

Lawler pointed out the significant number of immigrants who have entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, suggesting that many Americans are now looking to vote for Donald Trump in 2024. “The Trump administration effectively halted illegal border crossings and, according to its own figures, deported over 675,000 undocumented immigrants. A balanced immigration approach could maintain and even enhance this progress, but it must be humane,” he explained.

Amidst criticisms of President Trump’s immigration policies as midterm elections approach, concerns are also rising in response to recent shootings.

Over the weekend, a Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Preti, an ICU nurse with the Veterans Affairs Department, who was allowed to carry a weapon. Unfortunately, she was shot ten times and died on the scene. Just earlier this month, ICE agents were involved in the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis; the Department of Homeland Security claimed it was an act of “self-defense.”

Lawler stressed that both ICE and Customs and Border Protection should reassess their current methods, noting these operations are too coercive within communities. He criticized calls from politicians for abolishing ICE, suggesting it escalates risks within cities and challenges the notion of sanctuary policies.

The Republican representative urged collaboration among local, state, and federal authorities in investigating the recent deaths of Preti and Good, proposing that Congress hold hearings to aid in fostering a genuine dialogue about immigration enforcement.

“Once the tensions calm down,” Lawler added, “Congress can assemble the remaining components of a comprehensive immigration plan.” He suggested addressing issues by building on Trump’s border policies and creating a pathway to legal status—not citizenship—for long-term undocumented immigrants who lack criminal records.

In his view, this approach should be “strict and fair,” aiming to unite families, while also ensuring that those who benefit meet specific work conditions, forgo public assistance, and pay necessary fines and taxes.