Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, joined by the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with related agencies and officials. The suit seeks to end the ongoing surge of DHS agents into the state, declare the operation unconstitutional and unlawful, and secure a temporary restraining order to address the immediate harm being caused to the state and its residents.
The action comes amid escalating tensions in the Twin Cities following the launch of Operation Metro Surge in December 2025. The operation has involved the deployment of thousands of armed and masked agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), conducting large-scale immigration enforcement actions described in the lawsuit as militarized raids, excessive force, and unconstitutional stops and arrests.
The Impact of Operation Metro Surge on Minnesota Communities
The surge has caused widespread disruption and harm across Minnesota, particularly in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Municipalities have had to divert local law enforcement from routine public safety duties to manage fallout from federal actions. Emergency responders have been strained, schools have implemented lockdowns and closures for safety, and numerous businesses have shut down temporarily or reported sharp revenue drops—some customer-facing establishments in Minneapolis have seen declines of 50-80% due to public fear.
DHS agents have been accused of using excessive force against peaceful bystanders, including deploying riot control munitions and chemical irritants, pointing firearms at individuals posing no threat, and carrying out arrests and detentions without justification. Many U.S. citizens have reported unlawful racial profiling, with detentions lasting hours based on appearance or accent. Enforcement actions have targeted sensitive locations such as schools, medical facilities, places of worship, daycares, and funeral homes.
The situation escalated tragically on January 7, 2026, when a DHS agent shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman, during an encounter while she was driving her SUV. Videos of the incident have drawn widespread scrutiny, with critics questioning the official account that Good’s vehicle presented a threat.
Strain on Local Resources and Public Safety
Local law enforcement has been overwhelmed by the consequences of the federal operation. Police have responded to incidents involving tensions between protesters exercising First Amendment rights and DHS agents’ actions, as well as calls reporting possible kidnappings or abandoned vehicles left in roadways. On January 7, 2026, the Minneapolis Police Department began tracking overtime specifically tied to these demands. By January 9, officers had accumulated more than 3,000 overtime hours, with estimated costs exceeding $2 million for the period from January 8 to January 11.
The lawsuit argues that DHS has effectively commandeered state and local policing resources, violating the Tenth Amendment by forcing Minnesota authorities to address chaos created by federal agents. Additional claims cite violations of the Administrative Procedure Act through arbitrary and capricious actions, including excessive force, warrantless arrests without immigration status checks, and operations in sensitive areas.
Allegations of Political Motivation
The coalition contends that Operation Metro Surge is not primarily about immigration enforcement or public safety but rather retaliation against political opponents. Minnesota’s noncitizen immigrant population without legal status is approximately 1.5%—less than half the national average—and significantly lower than in states like Utah, Texas, and Florida, which have not experienced similar surges. The lawsuit notes that many arrests in Minnesota involve individuals without criminal convictions, and random street stops do not align with targeted enforcement against dangerous individuals or fraud.
President Trump referenced Minnesota’s political context on January 9, 2026, calling it a “corrupt” and “crooked” state due to election reporting and results that did not favor him. The filing points to a broader pattern of the administration targeting Democratic-led cities and states, including attempts to reduce federal funding.
Attorney General Ellison emphasized the human cost:
“The unlawful deployment of thousands of armed, masked, and poorly trained federal agents is hurting Minnesota. People are being racially profiled, harassed, terrorized, and assaulted. Schools have gone into lockdown. Businesses have been forced to close. Minnesota police are spending countless hours dealing with the chaos ICE is causing. This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop, so today I am suing DHS to bring it to an end.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated: “Minneapolis didn’t ask for this operation, but we’re paying the price. When federal actions undermine public safety, harm our neighbors, and violate constitutional rights, we have a responsibility to act.”
Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her added: “Federal law enforcement’s occupation of our city is putting us all at risk. They’ve come into Saint Paul and needlessly invaded our neighborhoods and homes; they’re targeting us based on what we look and sound like. Our residents are scared, and as local officials, we have a responsibility to act.”
The lawsuit also references nationwide protests in response to the Minneapolis shooting and similar enforcement actions elsewhere, such as in Portland, Oregon.
The state and cities are seeking an immediate end to Operation Metro Surge, the withdrawal of the thousands of DHS agents, and cessation of the alleged unlawful practices. A temporary restraining order has been requested to provide swift relief while the case proceeds.
