Minnesota is at the center of a heated legal battle against federal immigration enforcement, a conflict that has sadly seen two fatal shootings by government officers. A federal judge is now poised to hear arguments on whether to temporarily halt the controversial crackdown, known as “Operation Metro Surge.”
The state of Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, sued the Department of Homeland Security earlier this month. Their lawsuit gained urgent new weight after the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers. Minnesota is asking U.S. District Judge Kathleen Menendez to reduce the number of federal agents in the state to pre-December 1st levels, while still allowing immigration laws to be enforced, but with specific limits.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who plans to attend Monday’s hearing, emphasized the “unprecedented nature” of this surge, calling it a “novel abuse of the Constitution.” He expressed concern that such aggressive tactics could inspire similar operations elsewhere. Indeed, 19 other states and D.C. have filed briefs supporting Minnesota, warning of broader implications if federal actions go unchecked.
The U.S. Justice Department, however, has dismissed the lawsuit as “legally frivolous,” arguing that Minnesota seeks an inappropriate “veto over federal law enforcement.”
This isn’t Judge Menendez’s only involvement in related issues. She previously ruled that federal officers in Minnesota couldn’t detain or tear-gas peaceful protesters. Though that ruling was temporarily paused, plaintiffs are now seeking an emergency lift on that pause following the recent tragedies. In a separate, but equally critical development, another federal judge ordered the Trump administration not to destroy or alter any evidence related to the recent shooting, highlighting the deep mistrust and the need for transparency in these escalating events. This case truly underscores a pivotal moment for states’ rights and federal power.
Source: https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41782352.html
