Ex-Marine Detained by Trump's ICE, Lawyer Calls Process "Red Flags"

Steven Saari, a former Marine, was held without charges and had his phone records copied without a warrant, sparking outrage from his lawyer.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Steven Saari, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was detained by immigration authorities in Minneapolis after visiting the site where a nurse was killed. Saari's lawyer, Shauna Kieffer of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said the detention and treatment of Saari "raises red flags" as he was held without cause, denied access to counsel, and had his phone records seized without a warrant.

Why it matters

This incident is the latest in a series of legal complaints regarding the treatment of immigrants and U.S. citizens by the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts. Concerns have been raised about immigration officers potentially violating constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The details

Saari, a former Marine, was detained by immigration authorities after visiting the site where ICU nurse Alex Pretti was killed in Minneapolis in January. He said agents held him for around six hours without charges, denied him access to legal representation, and made a copy of his cellphone records without a warrant or his consent. Saari was carrying his legally-owned 9mm pistol at the time and became concerned he might meet the same fate as Pretti when officers detained him without first securing his weapon, which is a breach of basic law enforcement protocol.

  • Saari was detained in January 2026 after visiting the site where nurse Alex Pretti was killed in Minneapolis.

The players

Steven Saari

A former U.S. Marine who served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and was detained by immigration authorities in Minneapolis.

Shauna Kieffer

The vice president of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the organization representing Saari against the Trump administration.

Alex Pretti

An ICU nurse who was killed in Minneapolis in January 2026.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Every step of this process raises red flags. You don't get to detain someone without cause, deny them access to counsel, seize their phone, and then search or copy it without a warrant.”

— Shauna Kieffer, Vice President, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (The Intercept)

What’s next

The judge in Saari's case will decide whether to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics potentially violating constitutional protections, and the need for greater oversight and accountability in how immigration authorities treat both immigrants and U.S. citizens.