By Aldgra Fredly
Contributing Writer
The Department of Justice on Monday sued Minnesota and state officials over their sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The DOJ alleged that Minnesota, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and Hennepin County had refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, which resulted in the release of what it described as “dangerous criminals,” including people convicted of assault and human trafficking. Those individuals, it said, would have normally been subject to removal from the United States.
“Minnesota officials are jeopardizing the safety of their own citizens by allowing illegal aliens to circumvent the legal process,” U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.
“This Department of Justice will continue to bring litigation against any jurisdiction that uses sanctuary policies to defy federal law and undermine law enforcement.”
The lawsuit seeks to stop the defendants from enforcing state and city policies that the DOJ deems as obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
In response, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said in a statement: “City employees don’t work for the president, we work for the people who live here. We will stand with our immigrant and refugee neighbors no matter how many unconstitutional claims the White House makes.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said on X that the city “will not back down” and that it would continue to “fight with all our strength.”
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the lawsuit was “baseless” political retaliation against the state.
Both Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s office and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s office did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.
The lawsuit adds to a string of DOJ legal challenges against cities and states with sanctuary policies, including Los Angeles, New York City and Illinois. The department sued Boston earlier this month, claiming that its policies prevented the local police department from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
Trump issued an executive order on April 28 directing the DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security to pursue legal remedies for jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal law.
“This is a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of federal law and the federal government’s obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States,” he stated. “It is imperative that the federal government restore the enforcement of United States law.”
In July, a federal judge dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit against Illinois, Cook County, and the city of Chicago, ruling that their sanctuary policies were protected by state sovereignty.
Trump also issued an order directing federal agencies to suspend federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions. A federal judge on Aug. 22 blocked the move in 34 sanctuary jurisdictions.
Reuters contributed to this report.
