Ethical Hacking News
The US government's use of paramilitary units like SRT and BORTAC has sparked widespread controversy over their tactics and impact on immigrant communities. As the investigation into Alex Pretti's death continues, it remains unclear whether these units will continue to operate outside conventional law enforcement.
The US government's paramilitary units, including DHS's Special Response Teams (SRT), operate outside conventional law enforcement bounds. SRT units are equipped with full tactical gear and are used to suppress protests and deploy force in "hostile" situations. Internal memos reveal a culture of disregard for established protocols and laws governing use-of-force, leading to allegations of civil rights violations. The deployment of SRT units has led to widespread resistance from communities, including numerous lawsuits and accusations of violent tactics. These units perpetuate a culture of fear and intimidation among immigrant communities, often targeted for deportation without due process. The use of paramilitary units by DHS is holding back greater transparency and oversight, sparking demands for accountability.
The United States government has long been touted as a bastion of democracy and justice, but beneath the surface lies a dark web of paramilitary units operating outside the bounds of conventional law enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Special Response Teams (SRT), including those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), have been at the forefront of this disturbing trend.
These highly militarized units, often mistakenly referred to as "special forces" due to their tactical training and equipment, are not unlike those found in war zones. Equipped with full tactical gear, including military-style helmets, assault rifles, and heavy-duty crowd-control weapons such as pepper balls, foam launchers, and flash-bang grenades, they are designed to handle high-risk situations that would otherwise be beyond the capabilities of conventional law enforcement.
Their role has expanded far beyond traditional immigration enforcement to include the suppression of protests and the deployment of force in situations deemed "hostile" by their handlers. In a shocking revelation, leaked internal memos from ICE and CBP have exposed a culture of disregard for established protocols and laws governing use-of-force, with agents being told that they no longer require judicial warrants before making arrests or breaching private residences.
The deployment of SRT units has been met with widespread resistance from communities across the United States. In Minneapolis, where two federal agents were involved in the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, Alex Pretti, on January 24, the paramilitary arm of the government has been accused of carrying out aggressive and violent tactics that have led to numerous lawsuits and accusations of civil rights violations.
According to court records, one of the two agents responsible for Pretti's death, CBP SRT agent Raymundo Gutierrez, has worked for CBP since 2014. Another officer, ICE SRT agent Jonathan Ross, was hired by Border Patrol in 2007 and served as an agent in the El Paso sector until 2015.
The involvement of these paramilitary units has been instrumental in perpetuating a culture of fear and intimidation among immigrant communities, who are often targeted for deportation without due process. In some cases, families have been torn apart as children were detained and separated from their parents, with many still awaiting reunion.
In the aftermath of Pretti's death, Operation Metro Surge, the DHS-led initiative aimed at tightening immigration enforcement in Minnesota, has come under intense scrutiny. Following a dramatic shake-up, Gregory Bovino, the former head of Border Patrol sweeping operations in Minnesota, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other Democratic-run cities, has been reassigned to California.
Tom Homan, the Trump administration's "border czar," took over the reins from Bovino, vowing to conduct "targeted enforcement operations" while continuing to pressure state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. However, it remains unclear whether these units will continue to operate outside the bounds of conventional law enforcement.
As the investigation into Pretti's death and the broader implications of SRT unit tactics continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the use of paramilitary units by DHS has created a culture of fear and intimidation among immigrant communities. It is imperative that these agencies are held accountable for their actions and that the public demands greater transparency and oversight.
In an era where national security concerns have become increasingly blurred with immigration enforcement, it is crucial to recognize the difference between protecting a nation's borders and enforcing its laws in a manner that respects human rights and dignity. The use of paramilitary units by DHS has crossed a threshold, and it is time for the American people to demand greater accountability.
The future of Operation Metro Surge hangs in the balance, but one thing is certain: the continued deployment of SRT units will only exacerbate tensions between communities and fuel further calls for reform.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Paramilitary-Arm-of-the-US-Government-Unmasking-the-Dark-Side-of-Immigration-Enforcement-ehn.shtml
https://www.wired.com/story/ice-cbp-srt-bortac-units-immigration-operations/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/28/deaths-ice-2026-
Published: Tue Feb 3 20:46:52 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
