Judge Sets Deadlines in Minnesota's Lawsuit Against ICE

A federal judge on Wednesday did not take immediate action on the state of Minnesota’s request to suspend the increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state. Instead, the judge gave the Trump administration and the state a deadline regarding the case.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued the federal government on Monday, aiming to halt what Ellison deemed an “invasion” of the state.

In a hearing on Jan. 14, Minnesota outlined several examples of harm to residents, describing the federal officers' actions as “unconstitutional.”

Since the aftermath of the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot in the head by an ICE agent on Jan. 7, the streets of Minneapolis have been flooded with tear gas fumes, protest whistles, marches, and confrontations between officers and residents, leading to the added usage of pepper spray on demonstrators.

The state requested an immediate ruling on a temporary restraining order requested by Ellison to halt the Trump administration’s “Operation Metro Surge.”

“What we need most of all right now is a pause. The temperature needs to be lowered,” Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter said during the first hearing of the suit.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez described the case as a "frontier" in constitutional law, stating that the court needs more time to gather information, while promising to keep the case “on the front burner.” Menendez has given the U.S. Justice Department until Monday to respond to the request.

“It is simply recognition that these are grave and important matters,” the judge said regarding the deadline, pointing out that there are very few legal precedents to apply to some of the significant points in the case.

The deadline was set for Monday, Jan. 19, for the federal government to respond to Ellison's lawsuit, with the state having until Jan. 22 to file its response.