Minnesota and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have taken legal action against the Trump administration to halt an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities after a woman was fatally shot by an ICE officer. The state and cities have filed a lawsuit in federal court, alleging that the Department of Homeland Security is infringing on constitutional rights, including the First Amendment. They are seeking a temporary restraining order to stop or limit the enforcement actions.
During a news conference, Attorney General Keith Ellison criticized the federal government’s actions, describing it as a “federal invasion” of Minnesota. He expressed concerns about the behavior of federal agents, accusing them of engaging in unlawful conduct that has instilled fear in the community. Homeland Security has announced plans to deploy over 2,000 immigration officers in Minnesota, with more than 2,000 arrests already made since December, marking the agency’s largest enforcement operation to date.
The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration is targeting Minnesota due to its Democratic-leaning political landscape, violating free speech rights. In response, a Homeland Security spokesperson defended the administration’s actions, emphasizing its commitment to upholding the law and ensuring public safety. The government is also facing legal challenges in Illinois over a similar crackdown that led to thousands of arrests under “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Following the shooting incident in Minneapolis, where a woman named Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent, federal officers used tear gas to disperse a crowd of onlookers. Good, a 37-year-old mother-of-three who had recently moved to Minneapolis from Kansas City, was portrayed differently by her family and friends compared to the administration’s depiction of her as a domestic terrorist. Her loved ones remember her as gentle, kind, and family-oriented.
Renee’s tragic death has sparked controversy, with state and local officials disputing the self-defense argument put forth by the Trump administration. Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis and Governor Tim Walz have visited the memorial set up in honor of Renee, expressing solidarity with her family and the community.