Minnesota v. Noem

On behalf of over 80 local governments and leaders, Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief opposing the unlawful deployment of over 3,000 armed and masked federal law enforcement officers in Minnesota. The brief was filed in support of Minneapolis and St. Paul (the Twin Cities) and the State of Minnesota, which sued the Trump administration in January immediately after “Operation Metro Surge.” 

We’re asking the court to block further unlawful actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and restore the status quo.

The coalition argues that the administration is violating the Constitution by coercing local governments to redirect resources to support a federal immigration agenda. It also points to the deployment of an unprecedented number of ICE agents to the Twin Cities who are taking unlawful actions.

The brief details the startling impacts on these communities and warns that similar damage could occur in other cities across America. Already, the Twin Cities have experienced:

• Impacts on public safety: ICE agents have been filmed throwing residents to the ground, shooting two people, and using tear gas on children.
• Impacts on local law enforcement: ICE’s tactics make it harder for local governments to conduct effective law enforcement. When masked and armed ICE agents terrorize a city, victims of crime fear contacting the police, witnesses are deterred from cooperating with prosecutors, and de-escalation efforts by local police require more local resources.
• Impacts on communities: The presence of federal law enforcement prevents residents from going about their daily lives and damages the local economy. School districts in the Twin Cities are canceling school days because students and families are reportedly feeling unsafe. Meanwhile, patients are avoiding hospitals and clinics, increasing the risk of a public health crisis if contagious diseases go untreated.

The coalition represents millions of residents across the country.