Judge blocks federal officers from targeting peaceful protesters in Minneapolis

A US federal judge in Minnesota has ruled that federal immigration officers participating in Minneapolis’s largest recent enforcement operation cannot detain or use tear gas against peaceful protesters.

Minneapolis, the state’s largest city and part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, has a long history of civic activism and community engagement, which has come to the forefront amid the ongoing immigration raids.

The ruling comes amid protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol raids, which began in early December. Activists argue the operation violates residents’ constitutional rights, including the right to peacefully assemble.

Tensions escalated earlier this week when a woman was shot by a federal agent during a protest, drawing widespread outrage. Thousands of local residents and activists have been observing and demonstrating against what they see as overreach targeting immigrant families .

The ACLU of Minnesota, representing six local activists who filed the case, welcomed the ruling, calling it a critical protection for civil liberties . Government attorneys argued that officers acted within legal authority to enforce immigration laws and ensure their own safety.

Despite the ruling, the city remains tense as federal operations continue, with residents determined to monitor enforcement while defending their rights to peaceful protest.