Minneapolis ICE Raids and Protests

Federal Judge Kate Menendez issued an 83‑page preliminary injunction limiting ICE, Border Patrol and other federal officers in the Minneapolis-area “Operation Metro Surge” from using tear gas, pepper spray or other non‑lethal munitions against peaceful protesters and from stopping or detaining drivers and passengers who merely follow officers at an appropriate distance absent reasonable suspicion. The Justice Department has appealed the injunction and, in a separate filing opposing Minnesota and the cities’ bid to halt the surge, called the states’ Tenth Amendment and related claims “legally frivolous,” saying states cannot veto federal immigration enforcement while DHS officials defend agents’ actions as responses to violent conduct.