Judge Extends Order Protecting Minnesota Refugees from Arrest and Deportation

Ruling blocks new Trump administration policy that aimed to detain refugees already admitted to the U.S.

Feb. 28, 2026 at 12:56am

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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, rejecting a new Trump administration policy that would have allowed the government to detain and interrogate refugees one year after they were admitted to the country.

Why it matters

The ruling is a significant victory for refugee advocates, who argued the new Trump administration policy broke the government's longstanding promise to welcome refugees fleeing persecution and allow them to build new lives in the U.S. The judge said the policy raised serious constitutional concerns and turned refugees' 'American Dream into a dystopian nightmare'.

The details

The judge granted a motion by refugee advocates to convert a temporary restraining order issued in January into a more permanent preliminary injunction. The order applies only in Minnesota, but the implications of the new national policy announced by the Department of Homeland Security on February 18 were a major part of the discussion. The judge expressed disbelief at the government's interpretation of immigration law, saying it would allow authorities to 'terrorize refugees' who were promised they could live in peace after rigorous background checks.

  • The temporary restraining order was issued in January 2026.
  • The preliminary injunction was granted on February 28, 2026.
  • The new Department of Homeland Security policy was announced on February 18, 2026.

The players

Judge John Tunheim

A federal judge in Minnesota who granted the preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's policy of detaining and deporting refugees already admitted to the U.S.

Kimberly Grano

An attorney with the International Refugee Assistance Project, who told the Associated Press that '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'.

D. Doe

A refugee in the case who was arrested in January after being told someone had struck his car, interrogated about his refugee status while in 'shackles and handcuffs' for 16 hours, and then released on the streets of Texas.

Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that announced the new policy in February 2026 that aimed to detain refugees already admitted to the U.S. one year after their arrival.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

The government agency that, along with the Department of Homeland Security, did not immediately return a request for comment on the judge's ruling.

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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 judge's preliminary injunction will remain in place as the case develops further. The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have not indicated whether they will appeal the ruling.

The takeaway

This ruling is a significant victory for refugee advocates, who argued the Trump administration's new policy broke the government's longstanding promise to welcome refugees and allow them to build new lives in the U.S. The judge's strong language rejecting the policy as unconstitutional and turning refugees' 'American Dream into a dystopian nightmare' underscores the high stakes involved in this case.