Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Challenge To Minnesota Sanctuary Immigration Policies
Chief U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud dismissed the Department of Justice's lawsuit challenging Minnesota's sanctuary immigration policies on Monday, July 20, 2026, a decision that undercuts the administration's nationwide legal strategy.[1]
Tostrud wrote that Minnesota's laws govern only state and local officials and do not direct or forbid actions by the federal government or its contractors.[1] He said the government's theory would raise a Tenth Amendment anti-commandeering problem because Congress cannot require states to use their resources to run a federal program.[1]
The Trump administration had argued the state and local measures conflicted with federal immigration statutes by limiting ICE detainers, local cooperation and data sharing.[1] The suit was one element of a broader Justice Department effort to challenge sanctuary policies under the Supremacy Clause and preemption doctrine across multiple states.[1]
Tostrud is a Trump appointee, and his ruling represents a major setback for the administration's legal push to preempt state and local limits on immigration enforcement.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Monday, July 20, 2026, Chief U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud dismissed DOJ’s lawsuit targeting Minnesota’s sanctuary immigration policies.
- The opinion held that Minnesota’s laws govern only state and local officials and do not direct or forbid actions by the federal government or its contractors.
- The Trump administration had argued the state and local measures conflicted with federal immigration statutes by limiting ICE detainers, local cooperation and data sharing.
- Tostrud said DOJ’s theory would raise a Tenth Amendment anti-commandeering problem because Congress cannot require states to use their resources to run a federal program.
- The ruling is a major setback for the administration’s nationwide strategy to challenge sanctuary policies under the Supremacy Clause and preemption doctrine.
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