A federal judge in Minnesota has issued a ruling that prohibits immigration officers in Minneapolis from detaining or using tear gas on peaceful protesters. This decision, made by U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez, imposes restrictions on when chemical irritants can be used by immigration agents and prevents them from retaliating against protesters exercising their First Amendment rights.
Thousands have been closely monitoring the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol officers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area since early December. While the Trump administration justified their operations as addressing fraud allegations, some demonstrators have accused the agents of violating their constitutional rights and engaging in violent retaliation.
The ruling restricts officers from detaining individuals in vehicles unless there is reasonable suspicion of obstruction. It also states that following agents from a distance does not justify a vehicle stop. Agents are now required to have probable cause or reasonable suspicion of a crime before making an arrest, as reported by The Associated Press.
Government lawyers argue that the officers have been acting within their legal authority to enforce immigration laws and ensure their safety. However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the surge of ICE agents in the city, calling it a source of chaos.
The tensions escalated when ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good, a U.S. citizen, leading to public outcry and demands for accountability. The ACLU filed a lawsuit accusing federal immigration officers of racial profiling and unlawful detentions, particularly targeting Somali and Latino individuals in Minnesota.
Videos have captured federal officers using aggressive crowd control tactics, including tear gas and stun grenades, against protesters. The Intercept reported that agents have used Good’s death to intimidate demonstrators in Minnesota.
The court ruling and ongoing legal challenges highlight the complex interactions between law enforcement, protesters, and legal rights in the Minneapolis area.
