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By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
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A federal judge appointed by former President Joe Biden declined on Wednesday to issue a temporary restraining order blocking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota, saying she needed more evidence before ruling.
The state sued Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal officials earlier this week to halt what it describes as an escalating surge of federal law enforcement.
Newsweek reached out to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
The Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts have been focused on Minnesota and the Twin Cities for the past few weeks, with clashes between protesters and federal agents. Last Wednesday, a federal agent shot and killed Renee Good, a U.S. citizen, in a residential neighborhood, prompting outrage from local leaders. DHS then surged more agents to the area, promising to keep arresting alleged illegal immigrants.
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What To Know
Judge Kate Menendez, appointed to her judgeship by Biden in December of 2021, emphasized that her decision not to act immediately should not be read as signaling any view on whether the raids violate constitutional rights, as the plaintiffs allege. She said the issues are significant and will be weighed carefully as both sides prepare additional filings due later this month.
In its 80-page complaint filed on Monday, the state of Minnesota and cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul said Operation Metro Surge had led to locals being terrorized by federal agents.
"Thousands of armed and masked DHS agents have stormed the Twin Cities to conduct militarized raids and carry out dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional stops and arrests in sensitive public places, including schools and hospitals—all under the guise of lawful immigration enforcement," the complaint read.
Ellison said at a press conference on Monday that the operation had forced schools, restaurants, and businesses to close, and that locals were less safe than before thousands of agents arrived.
Concern has also been raised, in light of Good's death and other incidents, about why federal agents are allowed to draw their firearms when confronting locals, especially in their vehicles. DHS has pushed back on this narrative, arguing ICE and CBP agents are working to detain alleged illegal immigrant criminals responsible for serious and violent crimes.
At a hearing on Tuesday, attorneys for the Trump administration reportedly failed to articulate why this was allowed, particularly if those individuals are not breaking traffic laws or posing any other articulable threat.
The judge was said to be skeptical of the Trump administration's claims, but had also appeared cautious to issue a sweeping restraining order.
What People Are Saying
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, in a press release on Monday: “The unlawful deployment of thousands of armed, masked, and poorly trained federal agents is hurting Minnesota. People are being racially profiled, harassed, terrorized, and assaulted. Schools have gone into lockdown. Businesses have been forced to close. Minnesota police are spending countless hours dealing with the chaos ICE is causing. This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop, so today I am suing DHS to bring it to an end.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, in a press release on Monday: "Minneapolis didn’t ask for this operation, but we’re paying the price. When federal actions undermine public safety, harm our neighbors, and violate constitutional rights, we have a responsibility to act. That’s exactly what we’re doing today.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, in a statement to Newsweek on Monday: "President Trump’s job is to protect the American people and enforce the law — no matter who your mayor, governor, or state attorney general is. That’s what the Trump administration is doing; we have the Constitution on our side on this, and we look forward to proving that in court."
What Happens Next
Menendez has asked for further details from both sides before she issues a decision. The federal government has until January 19 to respond, while the state has until January 22.
Update 1/14/26, 1:55 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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