The state of Minnesota and its two largest cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, have officially sued the federal government. This legal action aims to stop an unprecedented surge of federal immigration agents into the region. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has described the sudden influx as a “federal invasion,” arguing that the heavy presence of armed agents is causing widespread harm rather than providing safety.
The lawsuit was filed in response to weeks of tension that reached a breaking point last week. On January 7, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, while she was in her car. This tragic incident sparked massive protests across the Twin Cities and caught national attention. Even after the shooting, residents reported that federal agents used aggressive tactics, including firing tear gas and pepper spray at crowds during demonstrations.
Local leaders argue that the scale of the federal operation is wildly out of proportion with standard immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly deployed over 2,000 agents to the area—a number that actually exceeds the total number of local police officers in Minneapolis and Saint Paul combined. While the federal government claims this surge is necessary to investigate fraud, local officials believe the true motive is political. They allege that the Trump administration is targeting Minnesota as a form of retaliation because of the state’s progressive policies and its welcoming attitude toward immigrants.
The impact on daily life in the Twin Cities has been severe. Attorney General Ellison noted that the presence of masked, poorly trained agents has created a climate of “chaos and terror.” Many residents are now afraid to go to work, shop, or use public services. The situation has even forced several schools to go into lockdown or close entirely due to safety concerns. Local police departments have also been overwhelmed, as they are frequently called to manage the fallout from federal actions, including reports of what local officials described as the “apparent abduction” of residents by federal agents.
The legal complaint argues that these federal actions violate several constitutional rights, including the First Amendment. It claims that agents are using excessive force against peaceful protesters and engaging in racial profiling. Beyond Minnesota, the state of Illinois has filed a similar lawsuit following its own massive immigration crackdown known as “Operation Midway Blitz,” which saw thousands of arrests and left residents in the Chicago area living in fear.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey clarified that the city is not asking federal agencies to stop their lawful work entirely, but rather to stop unconstitutional behavior that endangers the public. He emphasized that if the government’s goal were truly to investigate fraud, they would have sent accountants, not thousands of armed agents. The lawsuit now seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the operation and protect the community from further harm.
