Judge Refuses To Halt ICE Operation In MN As Lawsuit Proceeds

A federal judge on Saturday declined to halt immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota as a lawsuit filed by the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul moves through the courts, according to a report by The Associated Press.

Judge Katherine M. Menendez denied a preliminary injunction sought in the lawsuit filed earlier this month by state Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The ruling on the injunction focused on the argument by Minnesota officials that the federal government is violating the Constitution’s 10th Amendment, which limits the federal government’s powers to infringe on the sovereignty of states.

In her ruling, the judge relied heavily on whether that argument was likely to succeed in court, despite acknowledging what she described as “profound and even heartbreaking” consequences for communities in the state, NBC News reported.

The lawsuit filed on Jan. 12 targets the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its component agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. It requested that a federal court immediately block "Operation Metro Surge," which has brought thousands of armed federal agents into Minnesota since December.

In requesting the temporary restraining order, Minnesota officials argued the surge is causing immediate and ongoing harm to public safety, civil liberties, and local government operations.

The lawsuit also claims the surge violates the First Amendment and the federal Administrative Procedure Act, and that the operation is not legitimate immigration enforcement but a politically motivated campaign of intimidation and retaliation.

State and city leaders said the deployment has forced local governments to divert law enforcement and emergency resources, triggered school lockdowns, shuttered businesses, and led to widespread fear across the Twin Cities.

"The unlawful deployment of thousands of armed, masked, and poorly trained federal agents is hurting Minnesota," Ellison said in a statement. "This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop."

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city never requested the operation and is now bearing its consequences.

“When federal actions undermine public safety, harm our neighbors, and violate constitutional rights, we have a responsibility to act,” Frey said.

Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her said residents are being targeted based on race, appearance, and speech.

“Our residents are scared, and as local officials, we have a responsibility to act,” Her said.

Lawyers with the U.S. Department of Justice have called the lawsuit “legally frivolous.”

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi took to social media Saturday to laud the ruling, calling it “another HUGE” legal win for the Justice Department on X.

Federal officers have fatally shot two people on the streets of Minneapolis: Renee Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.