Minnesota Sues DHS to Halt 'Unprecedented Surge' of ICE Agents

Lawsuit Filed Against Federal Government

The State of Minnesota, represented by Attorney General Keith Ellison, has initiated a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its officials, including Secretary Kristi Noem, ICE Director Todd Lyons, and Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, January 12, 2026, also includes the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul as plaintiffs. It aims to halt what state officials describe as an 'unprecedented surge' of federal immigration agents within Minnesota, specifically targeting an operation known as 'Operation Metro Surge'.

Attorney General Ellison stated that the lawsuit seeks to declare the federal presence unconstitutional and unlawful, and has also requested a temporary restraining order to immediately cease the operations.

Allegations of Unconstitutional Conduct and Excessive Force

The lawsuit alleges that the deployment of thousands of armed and masked DHS agents, including those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), constitutes a 'federal invasion' of the Twin Cities and Minnesota. According to Ellison, these agents are 'poorly trained, aggressive and armed' and have engaged in a range of unlawful behaviors.

Key allegations outlined in the lawsuit include:

• The use of excessive and lethal force, notably citing the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week.
• Warrantless and racially motivated arrests, with claims of agents barging into restaurants without warrants and stopping individuals based on racial profiling.
• Targeting of 'sensitive locations' such as courts, churches, houses of worship, and schools.
• The operation has caused 'chaos and violence,' making the state 'less safe' and forcing local law enforcement to divert resources. Minneapolis alone reportedly incurred over $2 million in overtime costs for its police department in just a few days due to the increased public safety needs.

The lawsuit contends that 'Operation Metro Surge' violates the First and Tenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act. State officials argue that Minnesota is being targeted due to its Democratic leadership and political views.

Federal Response and Operation Details

DHS officials have defended their actions, with Secretary Noem stating that the agents are targeting undocumented migrants and that further agents are needed to ensure safety during operations. The Trump administration has described the lawsuit as 'baseless'.

ICE has characterized 'Operation Metro Surge' as its largest enforcement operation ever, with more than 2,000 immigration officers deployed to Minnesota and over 2,000 arrests made since the operation began in December 2025.

Seeking an End to the Surge

The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to end 'Operation Metro Surge' and the deployment of DHS agents, as well as to cease the alleged unlawful behaviors by federal agents within the state. The lawsuit highlights the significant impact on the state's resources and the well-being of its residents.