MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Trump administration is urging a judge to reject an effort by Minnesota and its largest cities to halt the recent surge in immigration enforcement that has stirred fears in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The Justice Department labeled the lawsuit, initiated after the tragic shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer, as 'legally frivolous.' Officials argue that the Department of Homeland Security is operating within its rights to enforce immigration laws.
According to the government, Operation Metro Surge has enhanced safety by leading to the arrest of over 3,000 individuals who were living in the U.S. unlawfully, as detailed in a recent court filing.
Put simply, Minnesota seeks a veto over federal law enforcement, stated Justice Department attorneys.
Responding to the federal stance, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison claimed that the government is infringing on constitutional rights, labeling the federal sweep as an 'invasion' that must come to an end.
The lawsuit, submitted on January 12, seeks to restrain or limit the enforcement actions currently underway. The timeline for a decision from U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez remains unclear, with more filings expected in the coming weeks.
Julia Decker, a policy director at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, voiced disappointment over the lack of transparency concerning the arrests, stating, These are real people... whose fates are uncertain amidst these operations.
The backdrop for these tensions includes the January 7 shooting of Renee Good, which drew significant public outrage and resulted in confrontations at enforcement sites, where armed officers deployed tear gas against demonstrators.
President Trump recently threatened to activate a 1807 law to send military troops to Minnesota, although he has since tempered these comments.
