The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging what they describe as an unprecedented and unconstitutional federal immigration operation in the state.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday, seeks a court order to halt the ongoing crackdown, which state officials have labelled a “federal invasion.” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced the legal action at a news conference, saying the scale and tactics of the operation must be stopped.
The case follows similar lawsuits filed by the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago, which accuse the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of subjecting residents to what they called an “organized bombardment” of immigration enforcement.
Both suits argue that the federal government’s actions violate the Tenth Amendment by overstepping state authority.
DHS strongly rejected the claims, blaming state and city leaders for the surge in federal enforcement.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said sanctuary policies adopted by Minnesota officials forced federal authorities to intervene, accusing local leaders of failing to remove criminals from the streets. She dismissed the lawsuits as baseless.
At the centre of the dispute is “Operation Metro Surge,” a federal immigration initiative launched in December in the Twin Cities. While initially aimed at undocumented Somali immigrants, officials say people from other nationalities have also been arrested.
Federal law enforcement sources said around 1,000 additional Customs and Border Protection agents are expected to deploy to Minneapolis, adding to roughly 2,000 agents already sent to the area.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city would continue to resist what he described as unconstitutional actions by federal agents.
He accused the Trump administration of targeting Democratic-led cities with sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The lawsuit alleges that the operation is politically motivated retaliation against Minnesota, citing public remarks by President Donald Trump accusing the state of being “corrupt” after election results did not favour him.
It further claims Minneapolis and Saint Paul are being singled out as part of a broader effort to pressure sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide.
Tensions have intensified following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good, a mother of three and U.S. citizen, during an ICE-related operation in Minneapolis last week.
Federal authorities released video footage showing moments before the shooting, claiming Good was interfering with a law enforcement operation, an assertion local officials have disputed.
Mayor Frey described the shooting as an example of reckless federal overreach and called for an independent investigation.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has placed the National Guard on standby amid fears of escalating unrest.
The conflict has drawn national attention, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accusing Minnesota officials of politicising the incident and inflaming tensions.
Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar said the federal government’s tactics were creating fear and chaos in immigrant communities.
Illinois officials have echoed similar concerns, accusing federal agencies of unleashing indiscriminate raids and violence to force states and cities to abandon immigrant-friendly policies.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said the state would continue to challenge what he described as federal intimidation and constitutional violations.
As legal battles unfold in multiple states, the dispute underscores growing friction between the Trump administration and Democratic-led cities over immigration enforcement, with court rulings now set to determine the limits of federal power in sanctuary jurisdictions.