Minneapolis Sues Trump Administration Over Immigration Enforcement

Mayor says city has filed lawsuits on behalf of those who had constitutional rights 'stripped away'

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) said the city has filed 'lawsuits that have been filed on behalf of the hundreds, if not thousands of people that have had their constitutional rights stripped away from them' by the Trump administration during its immigration enforcement surge. Frey said the city is seeking accountability through the justice system and wants to ensure Minneapolis does not become a target for future such actions.

Why it matters

The mayor's comments highlight the growing tensions between local governments and the federal government over immigration enforcement, with cities like Minneapolis asserting their authority to protect the rights of their residents.

The details

Frey said the city has filed 'preemptive lawsuits' and 'response of lawsuits' in response to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions, which he said have resulted in damage, loss of life, and the violation of people's constitutional rights in Minneapolis. The mayor said the city's goal is to prevent such events from happening again and to stand up for the 'endurance of our republic'.

  • The lawsuits were filed in February 2026.

The players

Jacob Frey

The Democratic mayor of Minneapolis who is leading the city's legal efforts against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions.

Trump Administration

The federal government under former President Donald Trump, which conducted an immigration enforcement surge that the mayor says violated the constitutional rights of Minneapolis residents.

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What they’re saying

“We have preemptive lawsuits that have been filed, response of lawsuits that have been filed, lawsuits that have been filed on behalf of the hundreds, if not thousands of people that have had their constitutional rights stripped away from them.”

— Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis (MS NOW)

“And importantly, we don't want Minneapolis just to be a stop along the route to the next location that has this extraordinary invasion that comes into their city and damages the economy, hurts the morale and the public welfare.”

— Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis (MS NOW)

What’s next

The lawsuits filed by the city of Minneapolis against the Trump administration will proceed through the courts, with the goal of holding the federal government accountable for its actions and preventing similar events from occurring in the future.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between local governments and the federal government over immigration enforcement, with cities asserting their authority to protect the rights and well-being of their residents in the face of aggressive federal actions.