A federal judge on Saturday denied a state government request to block the Trump administration's deployment of thousands of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In a ruling, District Court Judge Katherine Menendez stated that the immigration enforcement operation 'has had, and will likely continue to have, profound and even heartbreaking consequences on the State of Minnesota'. However, she ruled that state officials had not proven that the surge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the area was unlawful.
Thousands nationwide have taken to the streets to protest after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents. Demonstrators are expected to gather in Minneapolis following protests in various cities across the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, calling on Americans to refrain from work and school in a show of solidarity.
The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti sparked outrage, leading to bipartisan criticism of federal actions. Earlier on Friday, the U.S. Justice Department announced a civil rights investigation into Pretti's death. Good, a nurse, was the first Minneapolis resident shot by immigration officials in January.
Judge Menendez highlighted concerns of racial profiling and excessive force used by ICE and CBP agents, while noting that the state failed to provide metrics to establish when lawful action becomes unlawful. State and local officials had argued that the deployment of 3,000 agents violated the state’s sovereignty.
Organizers of the National Shutdown protests urged Americans to stay home on January 30 to send a clear message to 'stop funding ICE' due to the tragic incidents.
Demonstrators in Minneapolis formed an 'SOS' signal on a frozen lake and marched with representations of the U.S. Constitution. In a related event, singer Bruce Springsteen performed a new song in honor of the deceased citizens.
Federal officials, including border tsar Tom Homan, suggested that the administration might 'draw down' federal forces if local officials cooperate. About 3,000 federal agents have been deployed to Minneapolis under Trump's directive, with the Department of Homeland Security claiming the initiative aims to detain the 'worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens', despite critics arguing that many innocent individuals are being caught in the dragnet.
Ongoing protests reflect a deepening divide in opinions on immigration policy and highlight the tensions between federal directives and state responses.
