A federal judge has placed restrictions on immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota, following heightened scrutiny after the recent death of an American citizen shot by an immigration officer. The ruling comes as the Department of Justice investigates whether the state’s governor and the mayor of Minneapolis obstructed federal immigration laws.
Judge Kate Menendez’s order prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota from stopping or detaining protesters in vehicles unless they are actively obstructing ICE operations. This decision arrives amidst growing tensions and public outcry regarding immigration enforcement tactics.
Simultaneously, the Department of Justice is reportedly investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, for potential obstruction of federal immigration law enforcement through their public statements. Sources familiar with the matter suggest the investigation centers on a potential violation of conspiracy laws.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that the investigation is focused on the possible violation of the “conspiracy” statute. In US law, conspiracy covers agreements between two or more people to commit an illegal act or crime, with steps taken to achieve it. It is severely punished under federal law, especially in cases of terrorism and drugs, and the penalty can be life imprisonment.
Governor Walz responded to reports of the investigation with a statement: “Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous and authoritarian tactic.” Walz’s office stated they had not received any notification of an investigation.
These developments unfold during a weeks-long immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis and St. Paul, which the Department of Homeland Security has described as its largest law enforcement operation, resulting in over 2,500 arrests. The increased scrutiny of ICE’s methods follows the death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer. This incident sparked protests nationwide and renewed calls for the agency’s abolishment. The administration of President Donna remains silent on the matter.
