MINNEAPOLIS (TNND) — A federal judge is hearing arguments on Monday on whether the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota should be temporarily halted in the wake of fatal shootings of two people by federal officers.
Minnesota and the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis sued the Department of Homeland Security this month after the death of Renee Good, who was shot by an Immigration and Customs officer.
Over the weekend, Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a Border Patrol officer, as tensions, already heightened since Good’s death, erupted once again, leading to growing protests in Minnesota and across the United States.
Since the court filing was submitted, Minnesota and the Twin Cities have continued to add to their original request as they push to restore order before the administration’s Operation Metro Surge launched at the start of December.
Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison is expected to attend the hearing on Monday. Ellison said the lawsuit is needed because of “the unprecedented nature of this surge.”
It is a novel abuse of the Constitution that we’re looking at right now. No one can remember a time when we’ve seen something like this,” Ellison said in a Sunday news conference.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 23: Demonstrators participate in a rally and march during an “ICE Out” day of protest on January 23, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Community leaders, faith leaders and labor unions have urged Minnesotans to participate in what they are calling a “day of action” as hundreds of local businesses are expected to close during a statewide general strike held in protest against immigration enforcement operations in the region. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The lawsuit asked U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez to “order a reduction in the number of federal law enforcement officers and agents in Minnesota” back to the level before Operation Metro Surge. It also asks the judge to limit the size and scope of the operation.
Meanwhile, attorneys for the Justice Department have described the case as “legally frivolous” and said “Minnesota wants a veto over federal law enforcement.” The DOJ has asked Judge Menendez to reject the request or stay her order pending appeal.
The case also has implications for states that have already been or could be targets of federal immigration enforcement operations. Attorneys general from 19 states and Washington, D.C., have filed a “friend-of-the-court brief” in support of Minnesota.
In a separate case on Jan. 16, Menendez ruled that federal officers in the state can’t detain or use tear gas on peaceful protesters who aren’t obstructing authorities. However, an appeals court temporarily suspended the ruling three days before Pretti’s shooting.
The plaintiffs in the case asked the appeals court Saturday evening for an emergency order that would lift the stay. The DOJ argued that the stay should remain, describing the injunction as “unworkable and overly broad.”
In a separate case, Federal Judge Eric Tostrud issued an order Saturday night, blocking the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence related to Pretti’s shooting.
“A full, impartial, and transparent investigation into his fatal shooting at the hands of DHS agents is non-negotiable,” Ellison said in a statement.
Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty requested the order in an effort to preserve evidence collected that state authorities have not yet been able to inspect.
A hearing for that case is also scheduled for Monday in a federal court in St. Paul.
President Donald Trump also announced Monday that he would be sending border czar Tom Homan to the state to directly report on the situation. Over the weekend, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino spoke out about the latest shooting.
Trump also said his administration is “reviewing everything” about the fatal shooting of Pretti.
“We’re looking, we’re reviewing everything and will come out with a determination,” the president told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday.
Administration officials have continued to publicly defend the officer.
On Sunday, Bovino rejected a reporter’s claim—based on circulating videos—that an officer left the struggle with the weapon taken from Pretti before shots were fired, calling it “speculation.”
“Many videos out there, many different accounts that you may see, that I may see, that anybody here may see, that, folks, is why we have something called an investigation, to take what you’re talking about, to take those videos, to take witness statements, to take officer statements, all those minute details that will paint a true picture of what really happened,” Bovino said. “That is why we investigate, so we can get to the truth, so there’s not speculation.”
The Department of Homeland Security said that Pretti had a handgun and “violently resisted” when agents tried to disarm him, leading to the fatal shooting. State and local officials have disputed that claim.
On Saturday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the videos show that account to be “nonsense and lies.” He also again urged Trump to pull the “untrained agents” out of the state “before they kill another person.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addressed Trump directly, telling the president to “act like a leader.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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