Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has stated that the legal challenge against a recent surge of federal immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota will continue, despite a federal court’s decision to deny a preliminary injunction aimed at halting the operation. The lawsuit, brought by Ellison and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, alleges that the increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity is unconstitutional and unlawful.
In his statement following the court’s ruling, Ellison said, “We’re obviously disappointed in the court’s ruling today, but this case is in its infancy and there is much legal road in front of us, so we’re fighting on. We will continue to protect Minnesotans and raise the critical legal and constitutional issues at stake, and we will continue to be unrelenting in doing so. We know that these 3,000 immigration agents are here to intimidate Minnesota and bend the state to the federal government’s will. That is unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment and the principle of equal sovereignty. We’re not letting up in defending our state’s constitutional powers.”
Ellison also highlighted community efforts against what he described as a harmful surge: “Together, we Minnesotans are using every tool we have and can dream of to protect each other during this harmful and dangerous surge. Everyday Minnesotans, small businesses, nonprofits, and others are creating and enacting brilliant and courageous nonviolent, civil-resistance strategies every day. My office and other public offices are adding creative legal strategies that very often are successful, and we will keep using the law in every way we can think of to protect Minnesotans. Many more people are adding their own unheralded actions. Everyone who values their neighbors, communities, and our way of life in our beloved state has something to contribute.
History is on our side and Minnesotans are meeting its call. I will keep matching your bravery.”
The original lawsuit was filed on January 12 by Ellison along with Minneapolis and Saint Paul officials. It claims that Operation Metro Surge violates several constitutional provisions including the First Amendment, Tenth Amendment, Equal Sovereignty Principle, as well as federal administrative law.
During a hearing held on January 26 regarding their request for an injunction—which was denied—the court recognized significant concerns raised by plaintiffs about negative effects from Operation Metro Surge:
“Plaintiffs have made a strong showing that Operation Metro Surge has had, and will likely continue to have, profound and even heartbreaking consequences on the State of Minnesota, the Twin Cities, and Minnesotans. Since Operation Metro Surge began, there have been multiple shootings of Minnesota residents by federal immigration enforcement agents. Additionally, there is evidence that ICE and CBP agents have engaged in racial profiling, excessive use of force, and other harmful actions. And Defendants do nothing to refute the negative impacts described by Plaintiffs in almost every arena of daily life—from the expenditure of vast resources in police overtime to a plummeting of students’ attendance in schools; from a delay in responding to emergency calls to extreme hardship for small businesses. It would be difficult to overstate the effect this operation is having on the citizens of Minnesota,” according to language acknowledged by the court.
Since January 2025 Ellison has filed more than 50 lawsuits challenging various actions by President Trump’s administration related to funding for Minnesota or alleged violations of residents’ rights.
The Attorney General’s Office reports ongoing success with these cases as it continues its efforts.
