National Nurses United (NNU), the nation’s largest union of registered nurses, released the following statement in response to federal prosecutors charging peaceful protestors for alleged conspiracy during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota in early 2026:

“Nurses denounce the Trump administration’s attempts to punish people for protesting their government. This prosecution is nothing more than blatant intimidation targeting trade unionists for successfully protesting and organizing against Trump's secret police during Operation Metro Surge, an occupation by ICE. It is a politically motivated response, plain and simple, meant to stifle future dissent.

“Unions have had a long history in this country of standing in solidarity against oppression of all kinds. Unions and Minnesota communities came together in solidarity against Operation Metro Surge.         The murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, RN have not been forgotten, and to date, the Trump Department of Justice has failed to investigate or hold the officers accountable for the cold-blooded murder of innocent Minnesotans, including Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit RN.

“The people of Minnesota bravely stood up for their neighbors against the invasion of cruel and violent immigration enforcement in their streets. It was their solidarity and their organizing that ultimately led to the Trump administration abandoning Operation Metro Surge. The charges against the protestors are both vague and sensationalized. Despite labelling the protestors as violent, the actions of these protestors were anything but. Organizing online chats and rapid-response networks, raising money, monitoring federal activity in their communities: these are the actions of concerned Americans exercising their right to organize.

“Organizing against injustice is at the heart of the labor movement. It’s one of the many reasons why working people, including nurses, are organizing and joining unions to collectively fight back. Every gain workers have won — from safer working conditions and economic security to civil rights and workplace democracy —  has come from collective action against systems of power that exploit the working class. Nurses will continue in our advocacy for our patients at the bedside when their health is in danger and in the streets when our democratic freedoms are in danger.”

“Our solidarity will not be broken,” said NNU Executive Director Puneet Maharaj. “Trade unionists around the country, including NNU members, will not be intimidated by the draconian charges made up by this administration. We will never forget the courageous activists like Alex Pretti who literally put their lives on the line to resist the occupation. Nurses denounce this brazen attempt at intimidation and abuse of power.”

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.