A federal judge on Wednesday declined to immediately halt the Biden administration’s stepped-up immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, saying there was not enough time to fully evaluate the legal arguments behind the state’s request for a temporary restraining order.
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U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota along with the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, which are seeking to block an influx of ICE and other federal agents conducting immigration sweeps across the state. The plaintiffs allege the operations involve warrantless arrests, excessive force, and violations of constitutional protections.
Menendez said during the hearing that the legal issues raised are complex and lack clear precedent, making it impossible to issue an immediate ruling. She emphasized that her decision not to act Wednesday should not be interpreted as favoring either side, but rather reflects the seriousness and novelty of the constitutional questions involved.
The judge ordered the Justice Department to submit its response by Jan. 19, with additional filings from state and local officials due by Jan. 22. A decision on whether to impose restrictions on the federal operations is expected later this month, allowing enforcement activity to continue in the meantime.
State officials, including Attorney General Keith Ellison, argued that the federal campaign has eroded public trust and placed residents at risk. Federal attorneys countered that the government has had little time to respond to the lawsuit and that immigration enforcement falls squarely within federal authority, noting that courts rarely intervene to restrict agencies from carrying out statutory duties nationwide.
The lawsuit follows heightened tensions in Minneapolis after the Jan. 7 shooting death of Renee Good during an ICE operation, which sparked protests and intensified scrutiny of federal tactics. Federal officials say thousands of arrests have been made since the operations began in December, and they have confirmed that the ICE agent involved in the shooting suffered internal torso injuries after being struck by Good’s vehicle, supporting claims that the officer acted in self-defense.[/read]