MINNEAPOLIS — Federal Judge Allows Continued Immigration Enforcement Amid Legal Challenge
A federal judge on Saturday declined to immediately block Operation Metro Surge, permitting the federal immigration enforcement initiative in Minnesota to proceed while a broader legal challenge unfolds. U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez rejected a request from Minnesota officials for a temporary restraining order, despite recognizing the “profound and even heart breaking” effects on local communities.
Judge Acknowledges Impact but Upholds Federal Authority
“Those are not the only harms to be considered,” Menendez wrote. “The Eighth Circuit has recently reiterated that entry or injunction barring the federal government from enforcing federal law imposes significant harm on the government.”
Minnesota officials contended that the operation violates the Constitution’s 10th Amendment by compelling states to abandon sanctuary policies and cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Menendez determined the arguments were insufficient to justify halting the enforcement action.
Attorney General Disappointed but Persistent
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed disappointment with the ruling but vowed to continue the fight. “History is on our side and Minnesotans are meeting its call,” he stated. “I will keep matching your bravery.”
Operation Metro Surge began in December under the Trump administration, deploying 3,000 federal immigration agents to the Twin Cities and resulting in over 3,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants. The operation has also led to the deaths of two U.S. citizens this month: Renee Good, 37, and Alex Pretti, 37, both shot by federal immigration authorities during separate encounters.
Protesters Demand Accountability
“Even if Menendez ruled in favor of shutting down the operations, the decision still wouldn’t go far enough,” said Hannah Lindenberg, a protester near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. “As long as ICE, as a concept, exists, it will be a problem. Period.”
The Trump administration has issued conflicting signals regarding the operation. After initially pledging to intensify enforcement following Pretti’s death, officials launched an investigation into the incident. On Thursday, border czar Tom Homan announced a reduction in the operation’s scope in Minnesota.
President Donald Trump recently spoke with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. However, federal authorities arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon on Friday for his role in a protest he covered at a St. Paul church earlier this month.
