In the broader context of legal proceedings, a federal judge has preliminarily turned down Minnesota’s plea for a restraining order aimed at halting what has been described as Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) most extensive operation to date. This decision came during a Wednesday morning court session, where the judge remarked on the case as a pioneering issue in constitutional law, emphasizing the need for additional time to review the matter thoroughly, according to KARE 11.

The request for a restraining order was filed alongside a lawsuit on Monday, in which Attorney General Ellison condemned the operation, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, as an “invasion.” The lawsuit argues that the operation breaches federal law due to its seemingly arbitrary nature, noting that similar actions have not been undertaken in other states. Furthermore, it suggests the federal actions are politically motivated, thereby infringing upon First Amendment rights.

The federal government has been given until January 19 to issue a response to Ellison’s lawsuit.

Ellison has also urged the public to provide any pertinent information related to a recent ICE-related shooting. He has requested that the FBI collaborate with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension after ICE severed ties with state officials in the investigation, which has left the state agency without access to critical evidence, witnesses, or testimonies from agents.

Ellison previously asked residents to submit any evidence tied to the ICE shooting and called for the FBI to work with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension after the federal agency cut state officials off from the investigation. The decision meant the state agency does not have access to evidence, witnesses or agent testimony. 

“This has to stop,” Ellison said. “We allege that the obvious targeting of Minnesota for our diversity, our democracy, and our differences of opinion with the federal government is a violation of the Constitution and of federal law.”