Minnesota AG Ellison Addresses ICE Operation at Rochester Town Hall

Ellison says state has legal limits on cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison held a town hall meeting in Rochester to address questions about the Trump administration's massive immigration enforcement operation, known as 'Operation Metro Surge,' that surged thousands of federal border patrol agents into the state in December. Ellison said the state has legal limits on how long it can hold people for ICE and argued the operation was politically motivated retribution by Trump for Minnesota not voting for him.

Why it matters

The large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which resulted in the deaths of two protestors, has raised questions about the state's role and cooperation with federal authorities. Ellison's comments shed light on the legal and political tensions between state and federal officials over immigration enforcement.

The details

Ellison said the state began receiving 'massive numbers of reports' of people being stopped and questioned based on their appearance, leading to many avoiding school and work. He argued the operation was politically motivated retribution by Trump, who claimed he won Minnesota in the last three elections even though he did not. Ellison said the state has legal limits on how long it can hold people for ICE, as an ICE detainer is viewed as a request, not a legal requirement. Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued the Department of Homeland Security over alleged constitutional violations, but a judge denied their request to halt or limit the enforcement action.

  • The Trump administration surged thousands of federal border patrol agents into Minnesota in December 2025 as part of its mass deportation efforts.
  • The town hall meeting was held on March 17, 2026, weeks after the end of Operation Metro Surge.

The players

Keith Ellison

The Minnesota Attorney General who held the town hall meeting to address questions about the ICE operation.

Kristi Noem

The former Director of Homeland Security who Ellison and Governor Tim Walz tried to contact about the enforcement action but she never called back.

Renee Good

One of two protestors killed by patrol agents during the confrontation with demonstrators.

Alex Pretti

One of two protestors killed by patrol agents during the confrontation with demonstrators.

Shaun Palmer

The Rochester City Council Member who moderated the town hall event.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We began to get massive numbers of reports that people were being stopped and papers were being demanded just based on their appearance. We started getting massive numbers of people not going to school, not going to work.”

— Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General

“The reason we sued them is because they tried to commandeer state resources illegally in violation of the 10th Amendment. What we did in that case is still ongoing. It's somewhat of a novel thing. This has not happened before.”

— Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General

“Community trust is essential. If ICE wants that level of trust, they've got to act more like local police. We are not being unfair or unkind to ICE by criticizing them. Hopefully, our criticism of their conduct will make them more professional.”

— Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General

What’s next

The judge in the lawsuit filed by Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul against the Department of Homeland Security is expected to rule on the case in the coming months.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement, with Ellison arguing Minnesota has legal limits on how it can cooperate with federal agents. The large-scale operation and resulting deaths of protestors have raised concerns about the tactics used and the need for greater community trust in federal immigration enforcement.