MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge in Minneapolis is set to hear emergency arguments Monday on whether to temporarily curb or pause a major immigration enforcement surge that has flooded the Twin Cities with federal officers and sparked weeks of unrest.
The State of Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed suit earlier this month against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, seeking to roll back “Operation Metro Surge” and restore enforcement conditions that existed before the operation began on December 1.
The hearing comes as tensions remain high following two separate fatal shootings involving federal immigration officers this month. The lawsuit was filed days after Renee Good was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. On Saturday, 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer during another encounter in Minneapolis, adding urgency to the legal push now headed to court.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has called the surge an unprecedented overreach and said he plans to attend the hearing personally. In court filings, the Justice Department has argued Minnesota’s attempt to limit federal immigration operations is “legally frivolous,” framing the case as a direct challenge to federal authority to enforce immigration law.
Separate court action is also underway related to the Pretti shooting. A federal judge issued a temporary order requiring DHS to preserve evidence tied to that incident, after state authorities raised concerns about access to the scene and evidence control. That matter is also scheduled for further court review.
A ruling is not expected immediately, and the judge could take the matter under advisement after Monday’s arguments.
