Judge to weigh legality of Trump administration’s Minnesota immigration surge

A federal judge in Minneapolis will on Monday consider whether the Trump administration’s deployment of about 3,000 federal immigration officers in Minnesota violates the state’s sovereignty, a hearing that gained urgency after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti. Lawyers for Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St.

Paul are seeking a temporary halt to the deployment, arguing it has crossed into an unconstitutional and illegal occupation; since the surge began two U.S. citizens, including Mr. Pretti and Renee Good, have been killed, thousands of people arrested and tense protests erupted. The administration calls the state’s theory a misreading of the 10th Amendment and has said expelling federal officers would be an "unprecedented act of judicial overreach," while asserting the operation is lawful and has led to arrests of people convicted of serious crimes.

After Mr. Pretti’s death, a judge issued a temporary restraining order barring officials from destroying or altering evidence and a related hearing is scheduled Monday afternoon in St. Paul. Judge Kate M. Menendez is set to hear arguments on whether to grant a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction on Monday morning in downtown Minneapolis and could rule at any time.

State and city lawyers have asked for an immediate pause and a return to pre-surge levels of agents; the lawsuit also seeks restrictions on remaining officers.

Key Topics

Politics, Trump Administration, Minnesota, Operation Metro Surge, Alex Pretti, Ice