Minneapolis, Minnesota — A federal judge has imposed new restrictions on how federal immigration officers may interact with protesters and observers during ongoing enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, citing constitutional concerns.
U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez on Friday issued a preliminary injunction barring federal agents from detaining peaceful protesters or observers, and from using chemical sprays such as pepper spray against individuals who are not obstructing law enforcement. The ruling stems from a December lawsuit filed on behalf of six protesters and legal observers who alleged their First and Fourth Amendment rights were violated during arrests, brief detentions, and crowd-control actions.
In her 83-page order, Menendez referenced eyewitness testimony and video evidence showing federal officers deploying chemical spray without warning and using unmarked vehicles to surround demonstrators. She described the conduct as troubling and ruled that officers may not arrest individuals without probable cause or reasonable suspicion, nor retaliate against people who are peacefully observing enforcement activity.
The case arises amid the Trump administration’s large-scale immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis and St. Paul, which intensified following the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent. That incident, captured on video, sparked protests and repeated confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement.
Federal attorneys argued pepper spray was necessary to address dangerous behavior, while the Department of Homeland Security warned that obstructing officers remains a federal crime. Menendez emphasized the need to lower tensions while broader legal challenges continue.
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