‘I will erase your voice’, ICE agent’s remark sparks backlash amid protests over Minneapolis shooting

A remark made by a US immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has triggered widespread criticism amid ongoing protests in Minnesota over the fatal shooting of a US  citizen by federal agents.

During an encounter on Tuesday, an ICE agent was reportedly heard telling a legal official, “I will erase your voice”. When the observer questioned the statement, asking, “Are you serious? You said if I raise my voice, you will erase my voice?” the agent replied, “Yes, exactly.”

The exchange, captured on video and shared widely, has drawn sharp reactions from civil rights groups and protesters, who have described the comment as intimidating and unconstitutional.

The incident comes as scrutiny intensifies over the actions of ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) following the killing of Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, during a federal operation in Minneapolis. Within the past three weeks, federal agents have reportedly shot and killed two US citizens, including Pretti and award-winning poet Renee Nicole Good.

Rights advocates allege that federal agencies have also deported individuals without due process, separated children from their parents, and deployed large numbers of untrained agents into cities and neighborhoods facing public opposition.

Public concern over federal immigration enforcement has been growing. In response to the shootings, thousands of Minnesotans have taken to the streets in protest, demanding accountability and reform, with the movement gaining national attention.

Amid mounting pressure, President Donald Trump announced a new plan for Minnesota, appointing border czar Tom Homan to oversee ICE and CBP operations in the state. CBP chief Greg Bovino was removed from his position. The president has since shifted responsibility toward senior officials overseeing the deportation strategy, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller.