Press conferences and updates
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.
Learn about the other federal lawsuits Minneapolis has joined and those filed against us