A federal judge on Saturday denied a state government request to block the Trump administration's deployment of thousands of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In a ruling, District Court Judge Katherine Menendez said the immigration enforcement operation has had, and will likely continue to have, profound and even heartbreaking, consequences on the State of Minnesota. But, she stated, state officials had not proved that the Trump administration's surge of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis was unlawful.
The ruling comes as thousands nationwide have taken to the streets to protest the fatal shootings of two US citizens by federal agents. Demonstrators are expected to gather on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis, following protests in cities across the US, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington DC.
The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have triggered public outcry and criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum. Earlier on Friday, the US Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into Pretti's death.
Pretti, a nurse, was the second Minneapolis resident shot dead by ICE agents since their arrival in the state, with Good being killed on January 7. In her ruling, Judge Menendez pointed out that there was evidence of racial profiling and excessive use of force by ICE agents. However, she mentioned that state officials failed to demonstrate when lawful enforcement turns into unlawful action.
Organizers of nationwide protests, dubbed the National Shutdown, urged people to refrain from work and school on January 30 to pressure for the defunding of ICE.
The protests have seen demonstrators forming the letters 'SOS' on a frozen lake in Minneapolis, and music artist Bruce Springsteen performed a new song in honor of the victims during a concert in the city.
Despite the protests, the Trump administration has deployed about 3,000 federal agents under an initiative termed Operation Metro Surge, claiming to target the worst offenders among undocumented immigrants. However, critics argue that innocent migrants and US citizens are being swept up in the enforcement actions.
Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have called for the withdrawal of federal agents from Minneapolis, while recent statements from border officials suggest a potential reduction in presence if local cooperation is achieved.
