Minneapolis, Minnesota — Federal immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis has intensified in recent weeks, sparking national attention after two bystanders were killed during separate operations carried out by federal officers. The escalation has renewed debate over the city’s long-standing sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agencies.
President Donald Trump publicly criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey after Frey reiterated that city police will not enforce federal immigration law. Posting on Truth Social, Trump warned that Frey was “playing with fire,” framing the city’s position as unlawful. Frey responded that Minneapolis police are focused on public safety, not federal immigration enforcement, a stance consistent with previous statements from city leadership.
Legal scholars note that federal law does not require states or cities to carry out federal immigration enforcement. Writing in Lawfare, legal analysts pointed to the Supreme Court’s anti-commandeering doctrine, established in cases such as New York v. United States (1992) and Printz v. United States (1997), which bars the federal government from compelling state or local officials to administer federal programs.
The dispute has unfolded alongside broader scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a legally armed bystander killed during an immigration operation. Gun rights groups and civil liberties advocates have criticized the administration’s justification of the shooting, further intensifying political divisions.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Frey have both maintained that while federal agencies may operate within the state, local governments retain the legal right to decline participation.
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