Trump DOJ Moves to Dismiss Minnesota’s Bid to Block ICE Immigration Crackdown
The Trump administration is pressing a federal judge to dismiss Minnesota’s lawsuit seeking to halt a sweeping federal immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities, escalating a high-stakes confrontation over the limits of federal authority and the role of state and local governments.
In a court filing this week, the Justice Department asked U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez to reject the state’s request for an injunction blocking the operation, arguing Minnesota’s claims are “legally frivolous” and amount to an improper attempt to veto federal law enforcement powers.
The lawsuit, brought by the state along with the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, challenges what federal officials call Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale deployment of immigration agents across the region. State and city leaders argue the surge violates constitutional limits, undermines public safety, and exceeds federal authority.
The legal fight intensified after the fatal shooting of Renée Good, who was killed by an ICE agent earlier this month. Her death sparked widespread protests and sharpened scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics. A private autopsy later confirmed Good was shot multiple times, further inflaming public outrage. A second shooting involving federal agents has also been reported since the surge began.
In its response filed Monday, the Justice Department urged Judge Menendez to allow the enforcement operation to continue uninterrupted, arguing that immigration enforcement is a core federal responsibility that preempts state and local objections.
While Minnesota is seeking to block the operation entirely, the courts have already weighed in on parts of the dispute. A federal judge previously imposed temporary limits on certain ICE tactics used against protesters, but a federal appeals court has since paused those restrictions, allowing agents to resume broader enforcement activities while litigation continues.
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The controversy deepened further after federal prosecutors issued grand jury subpoenas to several top state and local officials, including Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. The subpoenas are part of a federal investigation examining whether public opposition to the surge unlawfully obstructed immigration enforcement.
Mayor Frey has criticized the subpoenas as intimidation, saying the federal government is attempting to silence local leaders through fear. Civil liberties groups echo that concern, warning the investigation could chill constitutionally protected speech and dissent.
The Justice Department has not charged any officials, but insists the inquiry is appropriate. Critics argue the administration’s tactics have only inflamed tensions and contributed to unrest in affected communities.
If Judge Menendez ultimately sides with Minnesota, federal immigration operations in the state could face significant new limits. A ruling in favor of the administration, however, could reinforce sweeping federal enforcement powers and set a national precedent for future clashes between Washington and state governments.
No hearing date has yet been announced, and the court has not indicated when it may rule.
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