• Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed lawsuit naming seven Trump administration officials as defendants
• Complaint alleges more than 2,000 federal agents deployed to Twin Cities in unprecedented operation
• Legal action follows fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent and widespread community protests

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (TDR) — State and local officials launched a comprehensive legal assault Monday against what they characterize as unlawful federal immigration operations sweeping through the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, representing the state alongside attorneys from Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed an 80-page complaint in U.S. District Court demanding judicial intervention to halt Operation Metro Surge.

The lawsuit names seven Trump administration officials as defendants, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, and U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.

Federal Deployment Exceeds Local Police Forces

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According to the complaint, the Department of Homeland Security has deployed more than 2,000 immigration enforcement agents to the Twin Cities since December—a force that outnumbers the combined sworn police officers of both cities.

“Operation Metro Surge is, in essence, a federal invasion of the Twin Cities,” Ellison declared during Monday’s press conference.

The legal filing argues that federal agents have conducted warrantless arrests, used excessive force, and staged operations at sensitive locations including schools and hospitals. Officials documented one December incident where an agent entered a south Minneapolis restaurant without a warrant, responding to requests for documentation by stating “We don’t need one.”

Community Impact and Economic Damage

The lawsuit details significant disruption to daily life across the Twin Cities region. Schools activated lockdowns to protect students from aggressive enforcement tactics, while businesses reported revenue decreases ranging from 50 to 80 percent as customers avoided commercial districts.

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Minneapolis police tracked more than 3,000 hours of overtime between January 7 and January 9 responding to public safety concerns created by federal operations. The estimated overtime cost to taxpayers exceeded $2 million for just four days.

“Minneapolis didn’t ask for this operation, but we’re paying the price,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated.

Fatal Shooting Intensifies Opposition

The legal challenge arrives amid escalating tensions following the January 7 shooting death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Video evidence shows the agent filming the encounter on his cellphone while holding his service weapon, raising questions about proper training protocols.

Federal authorities defended the shooting, claiming Good attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon. State and local officials strongly disputed this characterization after reviewing footage from multiple angles.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her emphasized the broader constitutional implications: “With this collective action, we are taking a firm stance to tell federal law enforcement that this cannot happen in our country, it cannot happen in our state.”

Constitutional Arguments and Relief Sought

The complaint alleges violations of the First and Tenth Amendments, the federal Administrative Procedure Act, and Minnesota’s right to Equal Sovereignty under constitutional principles.

Plaintiffs request the court declare Operation Metro Surge unconstitutional and issue immediate injunctive relief preventing federal agents from conducting warrantless arrests, using excessive force, or restricting peaceful First Amendment activities. The lawsuit specifically seeks to bar agents from pointing firearms at individuals who pose no immediate threat.

The filing also demands federal agents wear visible identification, including alphanumeric identifiers on uniforms, and utilize body cameras during all enforcement activities. These requirements mirror reforms implemented following high-profile use-of-force incidents in Minneapolis.

Pattern of Targeting Democratic Jurisdictions

The lawsuit contends the operation represents political retaliation rather than legitimate law enforcement. Ellison cited statements by President Trump characterizing Minnesota as “corrupt” and “crooked” after state officials certified 2024 election results that did not favor him.

“These poorly trained, aggressive and armed agents of the federal state have terrorized Minnesota with widespread unlawful conduct,” Ellison stated.

The complaint notes similar federal surges have targeted other Democratic-led cities with sanctuary policies, suggesting a coordinated effort to punish jurisdictions that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement.

Illinois filed a parallel lawsuit Monday against DHS, alleging similar constitutional violations and dangerous tactics by federal agents operating in Chicago and surrounding areas.

Will federal courts restrain what Minnesota officials describe as unprecedented overreach by immigration enforcement agencies?

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