Boston Bar Association Condemns Fatal Federal Shootings and Unchecked DHS Actions that Endanger the Rule of Law
Letter or StatementBOSTON, MA – In response to a series of recent actions by Department of Homeland Security agents that raise serious questions about due process and accountability, Boston Bar Association President Suma Nair issued the following statement:
“The Constitution does not give the federal government unchecked authority. Yet we continue to see reports of DHS agents engaging in actions that appear untethered from the constraints of the Constitution, including the unjustified use of lethal force, warrantless search and seizure, and disregard for fundamental due process, all without transparency or accountability.
“What is happening in Minnesota and in other cities around our country should alarm every lawyer in Massachusetts. The erosion of constitutional rights in one jurisdiction inevitably threatens civil liberties everywhere.
“This crisis requires more than just internal agency review. It requires a steadfast commitment to our fundamental constitutional principles.
“We urge attorneys, judges, lawmakers, and the public to demand the immediate appointment of an independent prosecutor to lead an impartial investigation of DHS conduct in Minnesota, including the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and swift disciplinary action where violations of law or policy occurred. Anything less would signal that federal officers may operate outside the limits of the Constitution and the laws they are sworn to uphold.”
