Trump Administration Defends Immigration Enforcement in Minnesota Amid Controversy

Tue Jan 20 2026 23:22:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Trump administration is challenging Minnesota's lawsuit aimed at halting immigration enforcement following a controversial surge that has resulted in over 3,000 arrests, including U.S. citizens.

In a contentious legal battle, the Trump administration is urging a judge to dismiss Minnesota's efforts to restrict immigration enforcement actions, which have escalated following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer. The Justice Department argues that the enforcement actions are lawful and necessary for public safety, while Minnesota officials claim these operations violate constitutional rights. The situation has raised concerns about the treatment of individuals arrested during the enforcement actions, leading to ongoing protests and legal challenges.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Trump administration is urging a judge to reject efforts by Minnesota and its largest cities to stop the immigration enforcement surge that has roiled Minneapolis and St. Paul for weeks.

The Justice Department has labeled the lawsuit, which was filed shortly after the shooting death of Renee Good by an immigration officer, as 'legally frivolous.' The department contends that the Department of Homeland Security is acting within its legal rights to enforce immigration laws.

Operation Metro Surge has reportedly improved public safety with over 3,000 arrests of individuals residing illegally in the U.S., according to government filings.

In legal arguments, Justice Department attorneys stated, 'Put simply, Minnesota wants a veto over federal law enforcement.'

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison responded by asserting that the federal government's actions infringe upon constitutional rights, emphasizing the need to put a stop to what he described as an 'invasion' involving poorly trained officers.

The lawsuit, initiated on January 12, seeks to obtain an order to halt or limit the enforcement actions. A decision from U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez is still pending.

Ilan Wurman, a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School, suggested that the state’s arguments might struggle in court. 'Federal law is supreme over state law, and immigration enforcement falls under the federal government’s jurisdiction,' he asserted.

Julia Decker of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota expressed concern over the lack of transparency regarding the government's arrest statistics, raising alarm that U.S. citizens were among those apprehended during the operation.

The tragic incident that sparked this heightened scrutiny involved the shooting of Renee Good on January 7, during which she was reportedly in a vehicle that was blocking a street where ICE officers were present. Following her death, public outcry has led to frequent confrontations between protesters and federal officers, some resulting in the use of tear gas by law enforcement.

Despite the escalating tensions, the Trump administration has suggested the potential deployment of federal troops to Minnesota, although this threat has been tempered in recent statements.