Unfortunately, Minneapolis is once again in the spotlight because of what is happening there these days. Regardless of how one views the situation, two Italian Americans are – for different reasons and in very different roles – at the center of today’s news.
Alex Pretti and Greg Bovino are two Italian Americans whose lives unfolded in very different professional contexts, yet both reflect the lasting presence of Italian heritage in contemporary American society.
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse based in Minneapolis, devoted his career to healthcare, working in intensive care and serving patients at a Veterans Affairs hospital. He was known by colleagues as a committed professional, deeply involved in his work and respected for his dedication. Pretti was killed yesterday by an ICE officer. Following his death in January 2026, his father spoke publicly about his son not only as a healthcare worker, but also as part of a family proud of its Italian roots. In recalling their background from Northern Italy both from paternal and maternal side, Pretti’s father emphasized that the family’s origins were Italian, underlining a cultural identity passed down through generations and still felt as an important part of who they were.
The surname Pretti itself reflects that heritage, linking the family to the broader Italian American story shaped by migration, adaptation, and continuity. Like many Italian American families, Pretti’s ancestors arrived in the United States generations ago, gradually building lives that blended American experiences with a strong awareness of their origins.
Greg Bovino represents another expression of Italian American identity, rooted in public service. Raised in an Italian American family, Bovino descends from ancestors who emigrated from southern Italy to the United States in the early twentieth century. His family history follows a familiar Italian American path, beginning with arrival through East Coast communities and evolving into full integration into American civic life.
After completing his education, Bovino pursued a career in federal service, eventually rising to a senior leadership role: he is the head of the ICE patrols that are not just in Minneapolis, but all over the country. Throughout his professional trajectory, his Italian heritage has remained a documented part of his personal background, connecting his career to the broader narrative of Italian Americans who have contributed to U.S. institutions across generations.
