Operation Metro Surge fallout: deported Shakopee man ordered returned
A federal judge on Sunday, November 1, 2026, ordered the U.S. government to return Nicaraguan national Kenis Gonzalez to Minnesota at government expense and found federal agents had no reason to detain him.[1]
Gonzalez had been living in Shakopee under an order of supervision after an immigration judge in 2024 held off enforcing his deportation because of safety concerns in Nicaragua.[1] He was detained during Operation Metro Surge in January and transferred to Texas; in August he was deported to the Central African Republic.[1] That country is not his own and the U.S. warns against travel there.[1]
Gonzalez's attorney alleges ICE agents shot him with rubber bullets.[1] The filings say agents made a threatening remark after he said he would rather die in the U.S. than be sent to Africa, and photos of his injuries are attached to the court record.[1] Homeland Security officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling or the alleged use of force.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- A federal judge on Sunday, November 1, 2026, ordered the U.S. government to return Nicaraguan national Kenis Gonzalez to Minnesota at government expense and found federal agents had no reason to detain him.
- Gonzalez had been living in Shakopee under an order of supervision after an immigration judge in 2024 held off enforcing his deportation because of safety concerns in Nicaragua.
- He was detained during Operation Metro Surge in January, moved to Texas, and in August was deported to the Central African Republic — a country that is not his own and that the U.S. warns against travel to.
- Gonzalez’s attorney alleges ICE agents shot him with rubber bullets and made a threatening remark after he said he’d rather die in the U.S. than be sent to Africa; photos of his injuries are included in court filings.
- Homeland Security officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the court ruling or the alleged use of force.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- A federal judge ordered the U.S. government to return Nicaraguan national Kenis Gonzalez to Minnesota at government expense.
- Gonzalez was living in Shakopee under an order of supervision after an immigration judge in 2024 held off enforcing his deportation due to safety concerns in Nicaragua.
- He was detained during Operation Metro Surge in January, moved to Texas, and in August was deported to the Central African Republic, a country that is not his own and that the U.S. warns against travel to.
- The judge found federal agents had no reason to detain him in the first place.
- Gonzalez’s attorney alleges ICE agents shot him with rubber bullets and made a threatening remark after he said he’d rather die in the U.S. than be sent to Africa; photos of his injuries are in court filings.
- Homeland Security officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling or the alleged use of force.