Minnesota and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have taken legal action against the Trump administration to block an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement activities after a woman was fatally shot by an ICE officer.
A lawsuit was filed in federal court by the state and cities, alleging that the Department of Homeland Security is breaching the First Amendment and other constitutional rights. The lawsuit requests a temporary restraining order to halt or restrict the enforcement actions.
Attorney General Keith Ellison denounced the actions of Homeland Security as a “federal invasion” of the Twin Cities, stating that the armed federal agents have engaged in unlawful behavior, causing fear and distress in Minnesota.
Homeland Security plans to deploy over 2,000 immigration officers in Minnesota and has reported more than 2,000 arrests since December, labeling this surge as its largest enforcement operation to date.
The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of infringing on free speech rights by targeting Minnesota, a Democratic stronghold, over political differences. In response, a Homeland Security spokesperson accused Minnesota officials of disregarding public safety concerns.
The government is also facing legal challenges in Illinois over a similar crackdown, where more than 4,300 individuals were arrested in “Operation Midway Blitz,” causing residents to feel intimidated and fearful.
The fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman, Renee Good, by an ICE agent has sparked controversy. While the administration portrays her as a domestic terrorist, her family and community remember her as a kind-hearted individual. Renee, who recently moved to Minneapolis with her son and wife, was described as a poet, writer, and devoted mother on social media.
State and local officials, along with protesters, dispute the administration’s narrative of self-defence in the shooting, with Mayor Jacob Frey rejecting it as baseless. Governor Tim Walz and his wife have paid their respects at the memorial where Renee was killed.
The incident has caused public outcry and raised concerns about the use of force by federal agents, prompting legal action and calls for accountability.