Federal Judge Denies Injunction to Halt Immigration Enforcement Surge in Minnesota

Lawsuit by state and local officials over constitutional violations continues despite judge's ruling.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A federal judge in Minnesota has denied a request for a preliminary injunction to halt a surge in immigration enforcement operations in the state, despite arguments from state Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul that the federal actions are unconstitutional and causing harm to residents. The judge said the lawsuit makes a strong case about the negative impacts, but ruled that the likelihood of the lawsuit ultimately succeeding was unclear.

Why it matters

The ruling means the controversial immigration enforcement surge, dubbed 'Operation Metro Surge,' will continue as the legal battle plays out. State and local officials argue the surge amounts to federal overreach and retaliation, while the federal government says it is necessary to target criminal immigrants. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between states and the federal government over immigration policy and enforcement.

The details

Judge Katherine M. Menendez denied the request for a preliminary injunction, ruling that while the lawsuit makes a strong case about the negative impacts of the surge, the likelihood of the lawsuit ultimately succeeding was unclear based on the arguments presented. The federal government argued the surge is needed to target criminal immigrants, while state and local officials said it amounts to unconstitutional retaliation and drains local resources. The judge was also influenced by a recent appeals court ruling that set aside her previous limits on the use of force by immigration officers against protesters.

  • On January 7, federal officers fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis.
  • On January 24, federal officers fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
  • On January 28, the lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction was filed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The players

Judge Katherine M. Menendez

The federal judge who denied the request for a preliminary injunction to halt the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.

Keith Ellison

The Minnesota Attorney General who filed the lawsuit against the federal government over the immigration enforcement surge.

Jacob Frey

The mayor of Minneapolis who joined the lawsuit seeking to halt the immigration enforcement surge.

Kristi Noem

The Department of Homeland Security Secretary who said the agency is "grateful" the court ruled in their favor.

Pam Bondi

The U.S. Attorney General who lauded the ruling as a "HUGE" legal win for the Justice Department.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This decision doesn't change what people here have lived through — fear, disruption, and harm caused by a federal operation that never belonged in Minneapolis in the first place. This operation has not brought public safety. It's brought the opposite and has detracted from the order we need for a working city. It's an invasion, and it needs to stop.”

— Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis (PBS.org)

“We know that these 3,000 immigration agents are here to intimidate Minnesota and bend the state to the federal government's will. That is unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment and the principle of equal sovereignty. We're not letting up in defending our state's constitutional powers.”

— Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General (PBS.org)

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Minnesota officials is still in its early stages, and they have vowed to continue pushing the case forward despite the denial of the preliminary injunction.

The takeaway

This ruling highlights the ongoing tensions between states and the federal government over immigration enforcement, with Minnesota officials arguing the surge violates the state's constitutional rights while the federal government maintains it is a necessary crackdown on criminal immigrants. The case is likely to continue winding its way through the courts as both sides fight to assert their authority.