Federal Judge Extends Order Protecting Minnesota Refugees from Arrest and Deportation

Ruling blocks Trump administration policy that would have allowed authorities to detain refugees after one year in the U.S.

Feb. 28, 2026 at 4:19am

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A federal judge in Minnesota has extended an order protecting refugees in the state who are lawfully in the U.S. from being arrested and deported. The judge said the Trump administration's new policy of allowing authorities to detain refugees one year after they enter the country 'turns the refugees' American Dream into a dystopian nightmare' and raises serious constitutional concerns.

Why it matters

The ruling is a significant victory for refugee advocates who argued the administration's policy would terrorize refugees who came to the U.S. seeking safety and a better life. It highlights the ongoing legal battles over immigration policies under the Trump administration.

The details

U.S. District Judge John Tunheim granted a motion to convert a temporary restraining order into a preliminary injunction, blocking the administration's policy from being enforced in Minnesota. The judge said the policy breaks the government's decades-old promise to refugees that they could build a new life in the U.S. after rigorous background checks. One refugee in the case was previously arrested, interrogated and left stranded in Texas after being told someone had struck his car.

  • On January 2026, Judge Tunheim issued a temporary restraining order protecting Minnesota refugees.
  • On February 27, 2026, Judge Tunheim extended the order by granting a preliminary injunction.

The players

Judge John Tunheim

A U.S. District Judge who issued the order blocking the Trump administration's policy from being enforced in Minnesota.

Kimberly Grano

An attorney with the International Refugee Assistance Project who represented the refugees in the case.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that announced the new policy allowing authorities to detain refugees one year after they enter the U.S.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

The federal agency that said it is committed to 'rooting out fraud and protecting the public safety and national security interests' through screening and vetting of immigrants.

D. Doe

A refugee in the case who was arrested, interrogated and left stranded in Texas after being told someone had struck his car.

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What they’re saying

“Minnesota refugees can now live their lives without fear that their own government will snatch them off the street and imprison them far from loved ones.”

— Kimberly Grano, Attorney, International Refugee Assistance Project (Associated Press)

“This Court will not allow federal authorities to use a new and erroneous statutory interpretation to terrorize refugees who immigrated to this country under the promise that they would be welcomed and allowed to live in peace, far from the persecution they fled.”

— Judge John Tunheim (Court opinion)

“We promised them the hope that one day they could achieve the American Dream. The Government's new policy breaks that promise — without congressional authorization — and raises serious constitutional concerns. The new policy turns the refugees' American Dream into a dystopian nightmare.”

— Judge John Tunheim (Court opinion)

What’s next

The Trump administration has indicated it expects to be 'vindicated in court' and will continue to pursue the policy allowing authorities to detain refugees one year after they enter the U.S.

The takeaway

This ruling is a significant victory for refugee advocates who argued the administration's policy would unfairly target and terrorize vulnerable refugees who came to the U.S. seeking safety and a better life. The case highlights the ongoing legal battles over immigration policies under the Trump administration.