Full Breakdown
Minnesota Cities Sue Federal Government Over Immigration Enforcement
1/13/2026, 1:56:40 AM
Overview of the Lawsuit
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, alongside the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in response to the deployment of over 2,000 federal immigration agents by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The lawsuit aims to halt what the plaintiffs describe as an "unprecedented surge" of federal agents, which they claim has led to civil rights abuses and heightened tensions in the Twin Cities since late last year.
Core Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that the federal government's actions violate the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states. Ellison contends that the presence of these federal agents, described as "armed, masked, and poorly trained," constitutes a "federal invasion" of local jurisdictions. The lawsuit cites a tragic incident involving the death of a 37-year-old mother and numerous claims of racial profiling and harassment as direct consequences of this federal enforcement initiative, dubbed "Operation Metro Force."
Background of Federal Deployment
"Operation Metro Force" was initiated in December 2022, initially framed as a response to allegations of fraud within the Somali community. However, it has since escalated into a significant federal presence that, according to local officials, outnumbers the local police force. The lawsuit claims that this militarized approach has led to chaos in the community, with schools going into lockdown and businesses shutting down due to the heightened atmosphere of fear.
Official Responses
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the lawsuit, asserting that Ellison is prioritizing political motives over public safety. She emphasized that the enforcement of federal law is a constitutional responsibility, arguing that the lawsuit reflects a selective interpretation of the 10th Amendment. McLaughlin stated, “It really is astounding that the Left can miraculously rediscover the Tenth Amendment when they don’t want federal law enforcement officers to enforce federal law.”
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the lawsuit argue that the federal government's actions are necessary to address crime and fraud. They contend that local leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, should have collaborated with federal authorities to tackle these issues rather than resorting to legal action. McLaughlin's remarks underscore this viewpoint, as she stated, “President Trump’s job is to protect the American people and enforce the law — no matter who your mayor, governor, or state attorney general is.”
What's Next
The lawsuit is set to proceed in court, where the state of Minnesota will seek to challenge the federal government's authority in this matter. The outcome may have significant implications for the relationship between state and federal law enforcement, particularly in immigration enforcement contexts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Operation Metro Surge is, in essence, a federal invasion of the Twin Cities,” — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
- “People are being racially profiled, harassed, terrorized, and assaulted. Schools have gone into lockdown. Businesses have been forced to close. Minnesota police are spending countless hours dealing with the chaos ICE is causing. This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop, so today I am suing DHS to bring it to an end.” — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
- “It really is astounding that the Left can miraculously rediscover the Tenth Amendment when they don’t want federal law enforcement officers to enforce federal law — which is a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II and the Supremacy Clause — and then go right back to federalizing every state responsibility possible when they get back in power.” — Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary
