A federal judge in Minneapolis expressed skepticism about a recent increase of 3,000 immigration officers in Minnesota. This came after a state lawyer proposed a local ban on ICE following the deaths of two protesters.
Judge Katherine Menendez, appointed by Biden, indicated she would make a quick decision after listening to about three hours of arguments against federal lawyers regarding Operation Metro Surge, which started on December 1.
Menendez probed the federal attorneys on the operation’s efficiency, questioned the necessity for so many officers, and wondered if this spike in personnel was a tactic to pressure Minnesota into aligning with the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
“So, this surge isn’t aimed at making states alter their conservation policies?” Menendez asked Brantley Meyers, representing the federal side.
Meyers replied that the federal authorities were simply enforcing existing laws, not attempting to modify Minnesota’s policies.
Earlier in the proceedings, Lindsey Middlecamp, the state’s attorney, described a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to Governor Tim Walz as akin to a “ransom note.” Bondi’s letter detailed three requirements states must fulfill to have immigration agents withdrawn, including adhering to sanctuary policies and providing voter registration and social service records.
The judge questioned whether the number of officers was excessive. Meyers stated there are roughly 2,000 ICE agents and 1,000 Border Patrol agents currently in the state.
“If there were 10,000 ICE agents in the Twin Cities, would that be excessive?” Menendez posed. “Does that imply there are no boundaries on what the administration can do under the pretext of enforcing immigration law?”
She also queried why only 400 additional officers were sent to Illinois, a fraction compared to the deployment in Minnesota, which is considerably smaller.
Meyers argued that the extra personnel were crucial for managing complex operations in the area.
This hearing follows lawsuits by Minnesota and the Twin Cities, seeking a stop to ICE’s actions against illegal immigration in the region.
The lawsuits were initiated after the deaths of two protesters in less than three weeks in Minneapolis. Renee Good, a mother and activist, was killed by ICE agents on January 7, and Alex Preti, a nurse carrying a handgun, was shot dead by Border Patrol agents shortly after.
In one lawsuit, the state accused the Justice Department of a “federal invasion” and sought to revert to prior conditions before the heightened federal law enforcement presence under the Trump administration.
Earlier in the hearing, Middlecamp claimed President Trump was aiming to create chaos in Minnesota to push for changes to a bill the state opposes, stating, “Minnesota should not endure any additional days of unchecked federal invasion by thousands of agents.”
However, Menendez pressed state attorneys on the judiciary’s capacity to intervene in federal operations and how to assess if the federal government had overstepped its authority, potentially violating the Tenth Amendment, which protects states’ rights.
“What criteria do we use to decide if a law enforcement response becomes a violation of the 10th Amendment?” she probed.
Brian Carter, representing the state, responded that the current situation was unprecedentedly severe, necessitating immediate relief.
Late Monday, Judge Eric Tostrad was scheduled to hear arguments about a lawsuit filed by DHS to ensure that Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Enforcement did not tamper with evidence related to Preti’s death.
Tostrad, appointed by Trump, had previously granted a temporary order while preparing to assess the matter.
Preti, 37, was filming the police when multiple officers confronted him on Saturday morning, leading to his death. He legally carried a firearm.
This incident occurred just over two weeks after ICE officer Jonathan Ross shot and killed Good on January 7.
