Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has responded to a press conference held by Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, regarding the recent increase in federal immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota.
In his statement, Ellison said, “Fewer federal immigration agents on our streets harming Minnesotans would be a step in the right direction, but the surge needs to end. Minnesota is still enduring the largest such surge in the history of our nation. It has left two Minnesotans dead. Countless more of our neighbors have been unlawfully detained, assaulted, harassed, and intimidated.”
Ellison criticized what he described as a campaign of political retribution from President Trump that he says is causing suffering and chaos across Minnesota. He stated: “Minnesota is still enduring a campaign of political retribution from President Trump that’s causing suffering and chaos across our state.”
He also noted ongoing protests and efforts by Minnesotans to care for each other during this period: “Minnesotans are still peacefully protesting, working around the clock to care for our neighbors, and lawfully observing and documenting the actions of federal agents in our state.”
Ellison outlined his office’s continued actions against federal enforcement operations: “And my team and I are still fighting to end this unlawful and unconstitutional surge, secure independent investigations into the deaths of two Minnesotans at the hands of federal agents, and protect our state from Donald Trump’s weaponization of the federal government against us.”
He concluded by expressing hope that Homan would succeed in reducing or ending increased enforcement activity: “I hope Mr. Homan is successful in his goal of achieving a complete draw-down and ending the surge as soon as possible. The people of Minnesota want and need no less.”
