U.S. Government Takes Legal Action Against Minnesota's Immigration Policies

Tue Sep 30 2025 21:58:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota, along with its largest cities and a county, over sanctuary policies that allegedly obstruct federal immigration enforcement.

In a significant move, the U.S. Department of Justice has sued Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Hennepin County for their sanctuary policies, claiming these regulations lead to the release of criminals who might otherwise face deportation. Attorney General Pam Bondi asserts that these policies endanger citizens. Minnesota officials, including Attorney General Keith Ellison, have rejected these claims, promising to defend their stance in court. The lawsuit reflects ongoing tensions between state and federal approaches to immigration enforcement and highlights the state's commitment to welcoming immigrants and refugees.

MINNEAPOLIS (RTWNews) — The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a lawsuit against Minnesota, targeting its two largest cities and a surrounding county over alleged sanctuary policies that the federal agency claims interfere with immigration enforcement.

Filed on Monday, the lawsuit highlights concerns regarding Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Hennepin County's policies which, according to the DOJ, result in the release of individuals who may pose public safety risks but would otherwise face deportation. The lawsuit seeks to annul specific state and local laws that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that Minnesota officials are jeopardizing the safety of their own citizens by allowing undocumented individuals to evade legal processes. This legal action follows similar lawsuits against jurisdictions across the country, including Illinois, New York, and California, known for their protective immigration stances.

Keith Ellison, Minnesota's Attorney General, countered the claims, stating that the state does not obstruct federal authorities’ ability to collaborate with local law enforcement on matters pertaining to public safety. He described the lawsuit as baseless political retribution and stated that Minnesota would vigorously defend itself in court.

Ellison noted that the lawsuit cites a nonbinding advisory opinion he issued earlier this year regarding immigration detainers, stating that local authorities are not legally obligated to detain individuals beyond their custody release unless specifically warranted.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reinforced the city’s commitment to inclusivity, asserting that it “welcomes immigrants and refugees” and vows not to yield to federal pressures. He criticized the lawsuit as fear-driven and politically motivated, reflective of former President Trump's ongoing attacks on immigrant communities.

Governor Tim Walz further expressed his disapproval of the lawsuit, stating that Minnesota is not a sanctuary state and discussed the nuances of the state’s immigration policies, asserting that there is no protection against deportation for individuals in the state.

This lawsuit raises fundamental questions about the balance between federal authority and local governance regarding immigration enforcement, with advocates on both sides eagerly anticipating judicial responses as the situation unfolds.