Minnesota, along with the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has initiated a significant federal lawsuit aimed at halting what it describes as an unprecedented and illegal influx of U.S. federal agents, specifically from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This complaint, an extensive 80-page document, names the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its high-ranking officials, including Secretary Kristi Noem. The plaintiffs seek an immediate injunction against “Operation Metro Surge,” which they argue has overwhelmed local resources with a substantial deployment of armed and masked agents far from the southern border.
During a press conference, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison characterized the federal operation as a "federal invasion" of the Twin Cities, asserting that it has caused chaos and fear through unwarranted arrests and aggressive conduct, particularly in sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals. He noted that the increased federal activity has resulted in disruptions like school closures, business disturbances, and diverted local policing efforts.
Ellison pointed to over 20 incidents involving ICE, including reports of people being forcibly taken by masked agents, and criticized the federal government for commandeering police resources illegally. He highlighted a particularly alarming event: the January 7 fatal shooting of local resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, which has intensified fears within the community and exacerbated unrest.
Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was killed during an enforcement operation by ICE. The FBI has now taken control of the investigation, leaving state authorities without access to evidence, a move that officials argue diminishes transparency and public trust in law enforcement.
The lawsuit claims that the federal operation infringes upon the Tenth Amendment and existing limits on immigration enforcement. It also accuses the Trump administration of retribution against Minnesota for its lawful exercise of authority.
In response to a reporter’s inquiry about the use of crowd-control measures by federal agents, Ellison emphasized the importance of First Amendment protections for the press, urging journalists facing such issues to formally report their experiences.
In a separate development, Illinois has filed its own lawsuit against the DHS, reflecting similar concerns about aggressive immigration operations in the Chicago area. The legal actions from both states underscore a growing backlash against perceived overreach by federal immigration enforcement.
