A federal judge on Saturday delivered a significant legal victory to President Donald Trump by declining to halt a massive immigration enforcement operation underway across Minnesota.
U.S. District Judge Katherine M. Menendez denied a request for a preliminary injunction sought by the State of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul to block Operation Metro Surge.
The ruling allows the Trump administration to continue what it has described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history.
Operation Metro Surge began late last month and involves the deployment of more than 2,000 federal agents across the state.
The operation is led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Minnesota officials filed suit on Jan. 12, arguing the operation violated the Tenth Amendment and improperly coerced local governments.
The complaint alleged the surge infringed on state sovereignty by pressuring local agencies to assist federal immigration enforcement.
Plaintiffs also claimed the operation was arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.
State leaders further argued the effort was politically motivated retaliation for Minnesota’s sanctuary policies.
Those policies limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration officials.
The Department of Justice dismissed the lawsuit as legally frivolous and driven by politics.
Federal attorneys argued immigration enforcement falls squarely within federal authority.
In her 30-page decision, Judge Menendez ruled the plaintiffs failed to meet the high bar required for emergency relief.
She emphasized the court was not ruling on the legality or policy wisdom of the operation.
Instead, the decision focused solely on whether immediate intervention was justified, per Trending Politics.
Menendez concluded that halting the operation would cause irreparable harm to the federal government.
She also found the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits.
While the ruling allows Operation Metro Surge to continue, the underlying lawsuit remains active.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Attorney General Keith Ellison have vowed to pursue the case.
They claim their legal challenge is rooted in public safety concerns.
Saturday’s decision follows days of unrest tied to the shooting of Alex Pretti during an encounter with federal agents.
Authorities say Pretti was shot while assaulting agents and attempting to draw a firearm.
The incident sparked protests and unrest in parts of Minnesota.
Business leaders publicly urged state officials to restore order and protect commerce.
Following those appeals, Walz contacted President Trump to coordinate security efforts.
State and local police agreed to assist in defending federal buildings and other targeted sites.
The ruling marks another courtroom win for the Trump administration as it escalates immigration enforcement nationwide.
For now, Operation Metro Surge will proceed as planned while litigation continues in federal court.
