A Minnesota judge has declined to issue a temporary restraining order blocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the state, seeking additional evidence before a ruling is issued.
Judge Kate Menendez of the US District of Minnesota said in a Wednesday hearing regarding the state’s lawsuit against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal officials, “I think the issues are really important and I don’t want to suggest by not acting immediately one way or the other that I think they are unimportant. To the contrary, I understand this is important to everybody.” Menendez has given the Trump administration until January 19 to respond, and Minnesota until January 22.
Attorneys for the state argued in the hearing that the surge of ICE agents and raids in the state is violating the rights of citizens. They are seeking a two-week restraining order. Attorneys for the Trump administration argued that an order was unnecessary because the state has not proven anything.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement on Monday in response to the lawsuit, “Keith Ellison made it abundantly clear today he is prioritizing politics over public safety. It really is astounding that the Left can miraculously rediscover the Tenth Amendment when they don’t want federal law enforcement officers to enforce federal law — which is a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II and the Supremacy Clause — and then go right back to federalizing every state responsibility possible when they get back into power. Spare us.”
