Supreme Court Restricts ICE Tactics in Minnesota Following Multiple Killings, Ordering Agents to Halt Aggressive Arrests and Crowd Control Amid Rising Public Outcry despite Donald Trump’s Insurrection Act Threat

Federal Judge Limits ICE Tactics in Minnesota After Deadly Clashes and Rising Protests

A federal judge in Minnesota has issued sweeping restrictions on tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents amid weeks of protest activity over aggressive federal immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities. The order, issued late Friday by U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez in Minneapolis, places limits on how ICE and other federal agents can interact with peaceful demonstrators and observers during the unrest. 

Judge Menendez’s preliminary injunction bars federal agents from arresting, detaining, pepper‑spraying or otherwise retaliating against individuals who are engaged in peaceful and non‑obstructive protest activity, unless there is clear evidence they are committing a crime or interfering with law enforcement operations. The ruling also prohibits the use of tear gas, chemical irritants and other crowd‑control tools against demonstrators and bystanders who are not posing a threat. 

Restrictions on Vehicle Stops and Retaliation

In addition to limiting force, the order states that federal officers may not stop or detain drivers and passengers simply because they are near protests or following federal vehicles unless there is a reasonable suspicion of obstruction or criminal activity. The judge emphasized that the First Amendment protects both public demonstrations and peaceful observation of law enforcement actions. 

The court gave the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 72 hours to bring its operations in Minneapolis into compliance with the new restrictions. The injunction applies specifically to agents involved in Operation Metro Surge, a large federal immigration enforcement campaign that has drawn thousands of ICE and other federal officers to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. 

Sparked by Protester Death and Allegations of Excessive Force

The legal action follows high‑profile incidents that have fueled public outrage, including the death of 37‑year‑old Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent on January 7 while she was near an enforcement operation. That killing ignited protests across the city and intensified scrutiny of ICE’s tactics. 

Local activists and civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, argued in court that federal agents repeatedly violated constitutional rights by using excessive force, making unwarranted arrests, and intimidating peaceful protesters and observers. The plaintiffs presented video evidence suggesting some actions by agents lacked justification and chilled individuals’ rights to free speech and assembly. 

Federal Government Response

Officials from DHS have defended federal law enforcement efforts, arguing their actions were necessary to maintain public order and protect the safety of officers and the public. DHS spokespersons have characterized some protests as dangerous and asserted that lawful enforcement cannot be undermined by demonstrators who interfere with operations. 

While the injunction limits specific tactics, it does not end federal immigration enforcement in the area. Government attorneys are expected to challenge parts of the ruling, and the case may be revisited as litigation continues. 

Broader Political Fallout

The dispute has also spilled into broader political tensions between federal authorities and local leaders. Minnesota’s governor and the mayors of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have criticized the federal surge, accusing the Department of Homeland Security of overreach and undermining local public safety efforts. Separate legal actions brought by state and city officials seek to curtail federal immigration operations more broadly. 

As protests continue, the legal and political battles are likely to shape how federal agencies conduct enforcement in communities where public opposition remains strong.