Federal judge rejects Minnesota request to block immigration enforcement operation

A federal judge has denied the state of Minnesota’ request for an injunction against the federal law enforcement surge in Minnesota. 

The state of Minnesota and both Twin Cities sued the federal government earlier this month, arguing that the administration’s focus on Minnesota had led to chaos and violence, including the shootings of three civilians. 

The state asked that the judge block the federal deployment, which their attorneys said was a violation of the state’s sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. 

U.S. District Court Judge Katherine M. Menendez said in her order filed Saturday that the state made a strong case of the impact that the federal surge has had on Minnesota and its residents. She acknowledged that “there is evidence that ICE and CBP agents have engaged in racial profiling, excessive use of force, and other harmful actions.“ 

But Menendez said those aren’t the only harms to be considered. She said a recent federal court opinion on a separate Minnesota case against the federal government “reiterated that entry of an injunction barring the federal government from enforcing federal law imposes significant harm on the government.” 

Menendez wrote that the injunction wasn’t justified partly because the state didn’t prove that it had a likelihood of success. 

She pointed to a recent decision in a court case filed against the federal government by the ACLU, where the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a much more limited injunction by a lower court judge.

“[T]he Court of Appeals determined that the injunction would cause irreparable harm to the government because it would hamper their efforts to enforce federal law,” Menendez wrote. “If that injunction went too far, then the one at issue here—halting the entire operation—certainly would.” 

Attorneys for the state argued throughout the case that “personal animosity” from President Donald Trump was fueling the federal actions, instead of a desire for immigration enforcement. 

The state’s attorneys also pointed to statements by government officials, including demands for voter records by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, as evidence that state sovereignty was being violated. They cited a post by Trump regarding Minnesota that read “THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING!”  

The state also highlighted the chaos and violence caused by the federal surge, including two civilians who were killed and another injured in shootings. The federal government didn’t contest these harms, but insisted that their goal was immigration enforcement and that the additional agents were necessary because they said Minnesota is a “sanctuary state.”

— Jon Collins, MPR News

This story is part of our live coverage. Go to live updates.

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