Oregon — The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released sharply different statements following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during an operation in Minneapolis.
In a statement issued this week, ONA condemned the killing as a violation of healthcare ethics and called for a full, independent investigation. The organization said frontline healthcare workers are entrusted with preserving life and reducing harm, and argued that ICE enforcement practices undermine those principles by bringing violence and fear into communities.
ONA said the incident reflects broader concerns about ICE operations, asserting that fear of immigration enforcement discourages immigrants from seeking medical care, delays treatment, and causes long-term psychological harm. The association called for transparency from federal authorities, urged stronger oversight of ICE, and advocated for ending ICE operations in communities. ONA also expressed solidarity with immigrant communities and communities of color it said are disproportionately affected.
DHS, however, released a statement through its official social media account describing a markedly different scenario. According to DHS, ICE officers were conducting targeted operations when a group described as “rioters” began blocking officers. DHS said one individual allegedly “weaponized her vehicle,” attempting to run over ICE officers in what the department characterized as an attempt to kill them.
DHS stated that an ICE officer, fearing for his life and the safety of fellow officers and the public, fired defensive shots. The department said the individual was struck and died, while officers injured during the incident are expected to recover. DHS characterized the act as “domestic terrorism” and said the officer acted in accordance with training.
The department further attributed the incident to what it described as increased hostility toward law enforcement, citing a reported 1,300 percent increase in assaults on officers and an 8,000 percent increase in death threats. DHS blamed what it called “sanctuary politicians” for contributing to a climate that encourages attacks on federal officers.
National media reporting, including the New York Post, identified the woman who was fatally shot and reported that federal authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
DHS said the situation remains under investigation and that additional information will be released as it becomes available. ONA, meanwhile, reiterated its demand for an independent investigation and maintained that the killing has serious implications for public health, community trust, and the ability of healthcare workers to safely care for patients.
At this stage, key facts surrounding the encounter—including the precise sequence of events and whether departmental policies were followed—remain under review by federal authorities.
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