MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a landmark ruling, U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez has declared that federal law enforcement officers participating in immigration operations in the Minneapolis area are prohibited from detaining or using tear gas on peaceful protesters. This decision follows a case filed by six Minnesota activists who alleged that their constitutional rights were being violated during a period of intensified immigration enforcement by ICE and Border Patrol, which began in December amid the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota represented these activists, underscoring concerns about the conduct of government officers. Despite arguments from government attorneys asserting that officers were acting within their legal rights to enforce immigration laws, the judge's decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over civil rights and law enforcement authority in sensitive immigration contexts.
Judge Rules Against Federal Officers in Minneapolis Immigration Enforcement
In a pivotal decision, a U.S. district judge has prohibited federal agencies from detaining or using tear gas on peaceful protesters during immigration enforcement operations in the Minneapolis area. This ruling comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE activities.
A Minnesota federal judge, Kate Menendez, ruled that federal officers cannot detain or use tear gas on peaceful protesters during immigration enforcement operations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. This decision was made in response to a lawsuit from six local activists, represented by the ACLU of Minnesota, who claimed that officers were violating the constitutional rights of residents amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
