Minnesota Cities Challenge ICE Actions in Landmark Lawsuit

MINNEAPOLIS — In a significant legal move, the state of Minnesota, alongside the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, has initiated a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. The action aims to halt what Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison describes as an “unlawful and unprecedented” deployment of federal law enforcement agents into the state. Ellison made this announcement at a press conference on Monday.

“This must come to an end,” Ellison declared, flanked by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. “We claim that Minnesota is being targeted because of our diversity, our democratic values, and our differing opinions with the federal government, which we believe breaches both the Constitution and federal laws.”

The lawsuit argues that this federal presence constitutes an “invasion,” resulting in unconstitutional stops and arrests in sensitive areas such as schools and hospitals, all under the pretense of lawful immigration enforcement.

“These agents, who are inadequately trained, aggressive, and armed, have created a climate of fear in Minnesota through their unlawful actions,” Ellison stated at the news conference.

The lawsuit asserts that the Department of Homeland Security is violating the 10th Amendment, suggesting a pattern of the Trump administration targeting cities governed by Democrats.

Additionally, the lawsuit contends that the administration has eschewed targeted enforcement in favor of conducting raids at workplaces, detaining and deporting individuals who are engaged in essential services that benefit the communities within the state.

“DHS agents also appear to be conducting general sweeps and detaining people within their path based on their race and ethnicity,” the complaint said.

The complaint also alleges that businesses and schools in Minneapolis have been hurt by the federal surge, and the state claims DHS violated state law by staging immigration enforcement operations on state property.

The lawsuit asks a judge to preliminarily bar DHS from arresting individuals unless there’s “probably cause” to believe they have committed a crime. The suit also asks to prevent DHS from threatening physical force and brandishing weapons.

Notably, the lawsuit aims to prevent federal agents from “pointing firearms at individuals who are not posing an immediate threat of death or seriously bodily injury to another person.”