The state of Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, have taken legal action against the Trump administration to halt an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities after a woman was fatally shot by an ICE officer.
A lawsuit was filed in federal court on Monday, alleging that the Department of Homeland Security is violating constitutional protections, including the First Amendment. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to stop or limit the enforcement actions.
During a news conference, Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed concerns, stating that the increased presence of federal agents in Minnesota constitutes a federal invasion that must be stopped. He criticized the conduct of the agents as aggressive and unlawful.
Homeland Security has announced plans to deploy over 2,000 immigration officers in Minnesota, resulting in more than 2,000 arrests since December. This operation is reported to be the largest enforcement action conducted by ICE.
The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of targeting Minnesota due to its Democratic-leaning politics, alleging a violation of free speech rights. In response, a Homeland Security spokesperson accused Minnesota officials of disregarding public safety concerns.
The government is also facing legal challenges over a similar enforcement operation in Illinois, where more than 4,300 individuals were arrested in “Operation Midway Blitz.” The lawsuit filed by the city and state alleges that the operation instilled fear among residents, deterring them from leaving their homes or using public services.
In a separate incident, tear gas was deployed by federal officers to disperse a crowd in Minneapolis following a car crash involving immigration agents. This occurred near the location where Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother-of-three, was fatally shot by an ICE agent.
While the Trump administration has portrayed Renee as a domestic terrorist who posed a threat to federal agents, her family, friends, and neighbors remember her as a gentle and kind individual. Renee had recently moved to Minneapolis with her son and wife from Kansas City, Missouri.
Describing herself as a poet, writer, wife, and mother on social media, Renee was said to be exploring her new city with pride. Her tragic death has sparked controversy, with state and local officials disputing the administration’s narrative of self-defense.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has criticized the self-defense argument as baseless, referencing video evidence. Governor Tim Walz and his wife paid their respects at the memorial set up on the street where Renee was killed.
Stay informed with our daily email briefing on UK politics delivered directly to your inbox.