Judge details ‘compelling and troubling’ evidence of racial profiling by ICE in Minnesota
Judge Eric Tostrud found "compelling and troubling" evidence that ICE and Homeland Security Investigations agents in Minnesota likely engaged in racial profiling and unconstitutional immigration enforcement after parsing specific stop-and-arrest scenarios and internal agency guidance. He nonetheless declined to issue an injunction, saying plaintiffs had not shown the required future harm and noting the government’s claim it was winding down certain operations, while distinguishing constitutional defects in agency policies from misconduct by individual officers.
📌 Key Facts
- Judge Eric Tostrud found evidence of racial profiling by federal agents in Minnesota and described that evidence as “compelling and troubling,” a stronger characterization than earlier summaries.
- Tostrud parsed specific stop-and-arrest scenarios presented in the case to support his findings.
- He reviewed internal ICE and HSI guidance as part of his assessment of the agents’ actions and practices.
- The judge distinguished between unconstitutional agency policies and potential misconduct by individual officers, explaining where he believes the policies themselves may be unlawful versus where the issues are limited to individual conduct.
- Despite his findings, Tostrud declined to issue an injunction.
- He explained that decision by citing the legal standard for showing future harm and the government’s representation that certain operations were being wound down, which influenced his refusal to enjoin.
📊 Relevant Data
Approximately 45% of Mexican immigrants in the United States are unauthorized as of mid-2022.
Mexican Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
Most Somali immigrants in Minnesota are U.S. citizens or have legal status, with only about 600 holding Temporary Protected Status as of 2026.
Trump administration ends temporary protected status for thousands of Somalis in US — Fox News
Unauthorized immigrants from Africa number about 16,000 in Minnesota, representing 16% of the state's unauthorized immigrant population of approximately 100,000.
Profile of the Unauthorized Population: Minnesota — Migration Policy Institute
Latino migration to Minnesota was initially driven by recruitment for the sugar beet industry in the early twentieth century.
Minnesotanos: Latino journeys in Minnesota — MinnPost
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- The article highlights that Judge Eric Tostrud called the evidence of racial profiling by federal agents in Minnesota 'compelling and troubling,' a stronger characterization than earlier summaries.
- It further explains how Tostrud parsed specific stop-and-arrest scenarios and internal ICE/HSI guidance, elaborating on where he believes the policies themselves are unconstitutional versus where individual officer conduct is at issue.
- The piece adds more detail on why Tostrud still declined to issue an injunction despite his findings, including his reasoning about future-harm standards and the government’s claimed wind-down of certain operations.