In a pivotal legal development, U.S. District Judge Katherine M. Menendez ruled on Saturday to allow the continuation of the Trump administration's extensive immigration enforcement operation, known as Operation Metro Surge, across Minnesota. The decision came as a blow to the State of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, which had sought a preliminary injunction to block the operation that commenced late last month.
Operation Metro Surge, described by the administration as the largest of its kind in U.S. history, has deployed more than 2,000 federal agents throughout the state, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The operation has been met with resistance from Minnesota officials, who filed a lawsuit on January 12, alleging that the federal initiative violated the Tenth Amendment by coercing local governments into assisting with immigration enforcement and infringing on state sovereignty.
The plaintiffs argued that the operation was arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act and claimed it was a form of politically motivated retaliation against Minnesota's sanctuary policies, which limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The Department of Justice, however, dismissed the lawsuit as legally frivolous and politically driven, maintaining that immigration enforcement is a federal prerogative.
In her 30-page decision, Judge Menendez stated that the plaintiffs did not meet the stringent requirements for emergency relief, emphasizing that the court's decision did not address the legality or policy wisdom of the operation. Instead, it focused on whether there was justification for immediate intervention. She concluded that halting the operation would cause irreparable harm to the federal government and found that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits.
While the ruling permits Operation Metro Surge to proceed, the underlying lawsuit remains active. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) and Attorney General Keith Ellison have expressed their intention to continue the legal battle, citing public safety concerns. The decision follows unrest related to the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents during an encounter, which led to protests and disturbances in parts of Minnesota. Business leaders have called for the restoration of order to protect commerce, prompting Governor Walz to seek coordination with President Trump for security efforts.
The ruling is another courtroom victory for the Trump administration, which has been escalating immigration enforcement nationwide. With the legal proceedings ongoing, Operation Metro Surge will move forward as planned.
