Federal Judge Weighs Fate of Minnesota's Immigration Crackdown Amid Fatal Shootings
A US federal judge in Minneapolis will hear arguments on Monday regarding whether she should impose a temporary halt on the immigration crackdown that has led to two fatal shootings by government officers. The state of Minnesota and cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, claiming an unprecedented level of abuse of power.
The suit, which was filed just before Renee Good's shooting in late December, has since been amended with additional requests. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison plans to attend the hearing, citing "the unprecedented nature of this surge" and its potential threat to federal law enforcement agencies. The state is seeking a reduction in the number of officers and agents deployed in Minnesota to pre-Operation Metro Surge levels while still allowing them to enforce immigration laws within certain limits.
The Justice Department has labeled the lawsuit as "legally frivolous," claiming that Minnesota wants a "veto over federal law enforcement." Ellison counters that this abuse of power needs to be addressed. The case's implications extend beyond Minnesota, with attorneys general from 19 states and Washington DC supporting the state's request.
This hearing comes amidst heightened tensions following Saturday's shooting by a Border Patrol officer that killed Alex Pretti. A separate federal judge has issued an order blocking the destruction or alteration of evidence related to this incident. The case also echoes another hearing that temporarily suspended a ruling on allowing federal officers to detain peaceful protesters in Minnesota, which was overturned after a second fatal shooting.
As the fate of the lawsuit hangs in the balance, concerns remain over the potential for further misuse of power by government officials and the impact it could have on other states facing similar intense federal immigration enforcement operations.
A US federal judge in Minneapolis will hear arguments on Monday regarding whether she should impose a temporary halt on the immigration crackdown that has led to two fatal shootings by government officers. The state of Minnesota and cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, claiming an unprecedented level of abuse of power.
The suit, which was filed just before Renee Good's shooting in late December, has since been amended with additional requests. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison plans to attend the hearing, citing "the unprecedented nature of this surge" and its potential threat to federal law enforcement agencies. The state is seeking a reduction in the number of officers and agents deployed in Minnesota to pre-Operation Metro Surge levels while still allowing them to enforce immigration laws within certain limits.
The Justice Department has labeled the lawsuit as "legally frivolous," claiming that Minnesota wants a "veto over federal law enforcement." Ellison counters that this abuse of power needs to be addressed. The case's implications extend beyond Minnesota, with attorneys general from 19 states and Washington DC supporting the state's request.
This hearing comes amidst heightened tensions following Saturday's shooting by a Border Patrol officer that killed Alex Pretti. A separate federal judge has issued an order blocking the destruction or alteration of evidence related to this incident. The case also echoes another hearing that temporarily suspended a ruling on allowing federal officers to detain peaceful protesters in Minnesota, which was overturned after a second fatal shooting.
As the fate of the lawsuit hangs in the balance, concerns remain over the potential for further misuse of power by government officials and the impact it could have on other states facing similar intense federal immigration enforcement operations.