Minnesota, Twin Cities sue Trump administration over widespread immigration operations

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN US

Updated Jan 12, 2026, 4:34 PM ET
PUBLISHED Jan 12, 2026, 12:30 AM ET


The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities are suing the Trump administration, arguing that the widespread federal immigration operations in the state is "a federal invasion of the Twin Cities," according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

The suit is seeking a court order halting the operations, arguing the federal government is unlawfully commandeering state resources and violating Minnesota law and city ordinances. It is the latest development in the monthslong spat between Minnesota officials and the federal government after President Donald Trump first ramped up immigration enforcement in the Minneapolis area in December.

The federal government initially launched Operation Metro Surge, an immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities, to target undocumented Somali immigrants but it has also led to the arrests of immigrants from other nations.

"DHS law enforcement have made over 2,000 arrests since Operation Metro Surge began," Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Monday.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/12/us/minneapolis-immigration-officers-mobilizing-protests

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Link to MN AG PRESS RELEASE - Attorney General Ellison and cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul sue to halt ICE surge into Minnesota

Link to SUIT (PDF) - here

[Easterncedar]

1. CNN calls it a 'spat'?

Expletives fail me.

[Bayard]

2. Good!

You knew that was coming.

He's trying to pull this against every Dem state. A tyrant, a bully, and a crybaby.

[FakeNoose]

3. Why can't this be a class action suit, involving Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New Orleans, etc.?

It's only a matter of time, he'll be hitting New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, etc.

This should include all of us fighting it, not just the Twin Cities.

[EuterpeThelo]

10. This issue there

could be one of standing. He's been forced to retreat here in L.A. (though made it a point to talk about how he could return, despite the court ruling against him on this matter). I'd also wager MN may want to have their own separate case because the behavior there has been ICE on STEROIDS (not that it's not bad all over, but I mean...).

[CatWoman]

11. Chicago and Illinois had filed their own lawsuit on similar grounds

The state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul sued the Trump administration on Monday over the recent surge of immigration agents in the area, arguing that it amounted to “a federal invasion of the Twin Cities.” Shortly hereafter, news broke that Chicago and Illinois had filed their own lawsuit on similar grounds.

https://www.mediaite.com/lawcrime/just-in-minnesota-sues-trump-admin-for-federal-invasion-of-the-twin-cities/

[mcar]

4. Great!

[Ocelot II]

5. Hey, CNN, this isn't a "spat." Trump has declared war on us.

He is occupying Minneapolis/St. Paul and treating us like an enemy to be conquered and defeated. It's not a fucking spat.

[bluestarone]

6. Exactly!

Jesus Christ!!

[OldBaldy1701E]

7. So, expect them to ramp up even more.

[mysteryowl]

8. Mayor Her of St. Paul, "To our immigrant and refuge community, you are loved...

..."you are a vital part of our community. You are loved, wanted."

I love women leaders! She dropped into our hearts.

[FakeNoose]

14. Wow, that's so awesome!

[Munu]

9. Very good. But what I'm worried about is ...

Trump may decide to go full "state of siege" over this issue.
There are certainly calls for that on the right.

[OldBaldy1701E]

15. They already are.

G.I. Barbie has already said that they are sending additional troops.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

12. Minnesota sues DHS, ICE over immigration enforcement

The state, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, allege the Trump administration’s decision to surge ICE agents into the area violates federal and state laws.

Link to tweet

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/01/12/minnesota-immigration-lawsuit-ice-dhs

Minnesota officials sued federal immigration authorities on Monday, claiming the Trump administration’s “unprecedented surge” of immigration agents is politically motivated and violates the U.S. Constitution......

In their suit, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are asking a federal court to issue a temporary restraining order to stop or limit the Department of Homeland Security’s “Operation Metro Surge.”

The Minnesota officials allege that “thousands of armed and masked DHS agents have stormed the Twin Cities to conduct militarized raids” at sites including schools and hospitals. DHS said last week that its Minnesota effort would be the agency’s largest immigration enforcement operation ever, with 2,000 federal agents and officers involved.

“This is, in essence, a federal invasion of the Twin Cities and Minnesota, and it must stop,” Ellison told reporters Monday afternoon. “DHS agents have sown chaos and terror across the metropolitan area and in cities across the state of Minnesota.”,,,,,

The lawsuit accuses agents of “unlawful and dangerous” tactics such as swapping and altering license plates, using tear gas and other chemical weapons on bystanders, and arresting people without warrants or probable cause.

Minnesota and Illinois join other state and local governments that have filed immigration-related lawsuits against the Trump administration, including cases aimed at halting the federal government’s attempts to withhold federal funding to “sanctuary” jurisdictions that limit local cooperation on immigration enforcement and the administration’s efforts to end birthright citizenship.

[Wild blueberry]

13. Proud of Minnesota!

Mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul and MN Attorney General are doing heroic work.
Thank you.