DOJ Sues Minnesota Over Sanctuary Policies

The U.S. Department of Justice is taking legal action against Minnesota regarding its sanctuary policy, which, according to Attorney General Pam Bondy, shields criminal illegal immigrants.

The lawsuit targets not just Minnesota but also cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Hennepin County. The DOJ claims that these sanctuary policies hinder federal efforts to track down and remove dangerous illegal immigrants, which includes refusing to cooperate with federal law enforcement.

The release from the DOJ notes that this noncompliance has resulted in some serious offenders being let go from police custody, including those with convictions for assault, robbery, and drug trafficking.

Bondy stated that Minnesota officials are compromising the safety of their citizens by allowing illegal foreign nationals to evade legal processes.

She further asserted that the DOJ would persist in filing lawsuits against regions that disregard federal law while employing sanctuary policies that undermine law enforcement efforts. Brett Schmate, from the DOJ’s civil division, emphasized that protecting illegal immigrants from law enforcement represents a clear breach of the law.

Schmate also mentioned that the civil division would continue to hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable to uphold the rule of law.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey responded to the lawsuit, proclaiming on social media that the city will not back down. He emphasized a commitment to fighting for immigrant neighbors and standing against, what he termed, the “Politics of Terror” associated with Donald Trump.

Similarly, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter expressed his support for immigrant and refugee communities, refusing to concede to what he considers unconstitutional actions from the White House. He mentioned previous court victories and looks forward to continued success against federal policies.