Judge refuses to pause Operation Metro Surge; ICE crackdown continues in Minnesota during lawsuit
A federal judge declined Minnesota's request to halt Operation Metro Surge — the Trump-era ICE enforcement effort — finding the state had not met the standard for a preliminary injunction and allowing ICE and Border Patrol to continue operations in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. The broader lawsuit will proceed while individual habeas petitions and any narrower court orders continue to be adjudicated in parallel.
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📊 Relevant Data
Venezuelan immigrants in the US have lower incarceration rates compared to native-born Americans, with illegal immigrants at 613 per 100,000 versus 1,221 per 100,000 for natives from 2010-2023. ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023)) ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023)) ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023)) ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023)) ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023)) ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023)) ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023)) ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023)) ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023)) ([Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023))
Illegal Immigrant Incarceration Rates, 2010–2023 — Cato Institute
Young men born in Somalia have roughly twice the incarceration rate of those born in the United States in Minnesota, based on like-for-like comparisons. ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime)) ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime)) ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime)) ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime)) ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime)) ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime)) ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime)) ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime)) ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime)) ([City Journal](https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-somali-fraud-immigration-crime))
Yes, Somali Immigrants Commit More Crime Than Natives — City Journal
Immigrants contribute $26 billion to Minnesota's economy, with Somali Minnesotans contributing $8 billion. ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/12/11/economist-immigrants-contribute-26-billion-to-minnesotas-economy))
Economist: Immigrants contribute $26 billion to Minnesota's economy — MPR News
Undocumented immigrants in Minnesota contributed $222 million in state and local taxes in 2022. ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes)) ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes)) ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes)) ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes)) ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes)) ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes)) ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes)) ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes)) ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes)) ([Minnesota Budget Project](https://mnbudgetproject.org/blog/undocumented-immigrants-contribute-222-million-in-minnesota-taxes))
Undocumented immigrants contribute $222 million in Minnesota taxes — Minnesota Budget Project
US economic sanctions on Venezuela have fueled economic crises leading to record migratory outflows from the country. ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration)) ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration)) ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration)) ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration)) ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration)) ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration)) ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration)) ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration)) ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration)) ([CEPR](https://cepr.net/publications/economic-sanctions-a-root-cause-of-migration))
ICE activity in Minnesota has led to people canceling doctor's appointments and delaying necessary care due to fear of enforcement. ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans)) ([MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/16/ice-operations-add-to-health-concerns-for-some-minnesotans))
ICE operations add to health concerns for some Minnesotans — MPR News
Operation Metro Surge has resulted in approximately 3,000 arrests in Minnesota since December 2025, targeting criminal illegal aliens including gang members. ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000))
Venezuelan immigrants commit substantially fewer crimes than the native-born population, based on 2019 data analysis. ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf)) ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf)) ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf)) ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf)) ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf)) ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf)) ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf)) ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf)) ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf)) ([Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/migration-crime-latam-eng-final.pdf))
Venezuelan Migration, Crime, and Misperceptions — Brookings
📌 Key Facts
- A judge refused to halt Operation Metro Surge, denying Minnesota’s request for an injunction to pause the enforcement surge.
- The court determined the state had not met the legal standard required to obtain a preliminary injunction at this stage of the case.
- The broader lawsuit challenging the surge will continue to proceed in court despite the denial of the injunction.
- The ruling allows ICE and Border Patrol to continue their current operations in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area while the case moves forward.
- Individual habeas petitions and narrower court orders related to specific detainees or actions may proceed in parallel with the ongoing enforcement operations and the broader lawsuit.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms the specific judge and court that declined Minnesota’s request for an injunction against Operation Metro Surge (if named in the article).
- Spells out the legal reasoning in more detail: the court finds the state has not met the standard for stopping the surge at this preliminary stage, while allowing the broader case to continue.
- Reiterates that the ruling means ICE and Border Patrol can continue current operations in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, even as individual habeas cases and narrower orders proceed in parallel.