About the lawsuit

The lawsuit seeks to stop the Trump administration from continuing to violate the law in its immigration enforcement campaign in Minneapolis and across the state.

In the lawsuit, we are asking the court for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to immediately stop the federal government’s unlawful activity in Minnesota.

Federal agents have engaged in a pattern of unlawful conduct targeted to harm the public safety, health and welfare of Minnesota residents.

We are asking the Court to order federal agents to follow the U. S. Constitution, state law, and their own policies.

We are not trying to block immigration enforcement altogether. We are trying to stop the unprecedented surge and unlawful enforcement.

What does the lawsuit ask for

For federal agents continuing lawful operations in the city, we are calling an end to: 

• Racial profiling
• Excessive force
• Enforcement at sensitive locations
  • Including schools, hospitals, places of worship, courthouses, playgrounds, funerals, and weddings
• Retaliation instead of de-escalation against concerned bystanders and witnesses

We are also calling for:

• Federal agents to be equipped with body-worn cameras
• Follow the U.S. Constitution, state law and their own federal policies

How Operation Metro Surge has affected our City

The unconstitutional and dangerous actions of federal immigration enforcement have:

• Created chaos
• Degraded safety
• Violated the civil rights of residents and community members in our city
• Depleted law enforcement resources

It is clear that the federal administration does not want to improve public safety in our state. They are engaged in a pattern of behavior designed to disrupt peace, create fear, and inflame.

As a result, state and local law enforcement agencies have been forced to divert resources to de-escalate tensions arising from federal immigration enforcement activities to maintain order and public safety.

What happens next

The court will review our request for immediate relief.

In the meantime, the City of Minneapolis will continue doing everything we can to protect public safety and support our neighbors.

Read the lawsuit

Learn about the other federal lawsuits Minneapolis has joined and those filed against us

Legal help from our partners

If you or someone you know is impacted, there are resources available, including free legal clinics with immigration attorneys.

You can access these clinics through:

• Volunteer Lawyers Network
• Community Clinics with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

Community members are encouraged to connect with the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs for additional information.

To connect, please call 612-673-3129 or 311.

Find additional resources for support

Private property owners and leaseholders can choose to identify their non-public areas to lawfully restrict activities related to staging for civil immigration enforcement.

The City has created:

• Signs
• Posters
• Stickers and window decals

Important to note

While the City is providing the designs, printing is the responsibility of property owners and leaseholders.

If you use this signage, you are doing so at your own discretion and assume any associated legal risks.

Download the signage

Common questions from business owners

We have collected common questions from local business owners related to immigration enforcement.

These questions and answers are meant to provide general information and resources to business owners. They are not intended as legal advice.

Read more