Meeks and Meng Held “Protect Our Communities From ICE Brutality” Press Conference with Local Faith Leaders

QUEENS, NY – U.S. Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) and Grace Meng (NY-06) held a press conference Thursday calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately cease its operations in Minnesota and stop terrorizing communities nationwide including in Queens and throughout New York. 

The Representatives also demanded that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not obstruct or interfere with Minnesota officials investigating the tragic deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. 

Reps. Meeks and Meng were joined by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and local faith leaders at the event which took place at Queens Borough Hall. 

“The lawless Trump Administration's immigration enforcement tactics are tearing through our communities with brutal force, putting too many families, friends, and neighbors at risk,” said Rep. Meeks. “Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem must end the madness, rein in their masked ICE agents, and implement serious accountability measures to prevent further loss of American lives. Accountability is not optional, it is a requirement.”

“Renee Good and Alex Pretti should still be alive. Neither deserved to be murdered,” said Rep. Meng. “But it’s not just about them. It is also about the many others in Minneapolis, in New York, in Queens, and across the nation who have been terrorized by the unlawful actions of ICE. I will continue speaking out against ICE’s recklessness and pushing legislation to rein them in. And I will continue to oppose any money for the agency without more guardrails and accountability; not one more taxpayer dollar!”

“No community should ever feel hunted, targeted or traumatized by the very systems that are supposed to keep people safe,” said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. “What we are seeing from ICE, both in Minnesota and across the country is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. These actions undermine public trust, destabilize families and place lives at risk. I stand with my colleagues, our faith leaders and our neighbors in calling for accountability, transparency and an immediate end to enforcement practices that rely on fear instead of humanity.”

“The escalation of ICE’s tactics that have led to the deaths of two American civilians in Minnesota is horrific,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “These operations are terrorizing communities across the nation — from Minneapolis to Queens and throughout New York — and have gone far beyond any reasonable scope of work. We demand that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement immediately cease these activities, and that the Department of Homeland Security stop obstructing transparent investigations into the killings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. Our communities deserve justice, accountability, and safety — not fear.”

"The Bible and church tradition are clear: we are to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves,” said Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Courter, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills. “We have seen a clear pattern of abusive behavior from DHS agents, not only in Minneapolis, but across the country, both in our streets and in ICE detention centers. Our country's values are at risk from these actions. Scripture is also clear that we reap what we sow. If our government agents sow lawlessness, we will see an increase in lawlessness in our nation. Instead of encouraging citizens to obey laws and civic norms, DHS agents actually encourage violence by their own violent actions. It is time for the disrespect of our common humanity to stop. It is a moral issue. As a Christian minister, I implore the President and his administration to change course and recognize that they are undermining the values we hold dear: respect for others, care for those in need, and yes, empathy. Empathy is a Christian value dating all the way back to the founding of the church. Without it, we as a nation cannot live in peace."

“As an imam, I mourn every innocent life lost and grieve the reported deaths linked to immigration enforcement in our country,” said Imam Muhammad Shahidullah. “No policy should ever cost human lives—justice, due process, and human dignity must be upheld without exception. We call for accountability, transparency, and compassionate reforms that protect life and honor our shared humanity. I pray for Queens, NY and whole nations.”

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