Federal Judge Cracks Down on Aggressive ICE Tactics in Minnesota Protests
A US district judge has ordered federal immigration agents to dial back their aggressive tactics in Minneapolis, barring the detention or arrest of peaceful protesters and drivers, as well as the use of pepper spray against demonstrators. The 72-hour compliance order follows two incidents where federal agents opened fire, killing one person and wounding another, in what many see as a disturbing escalation of tensions between law enforcement and anti-ICE protesters.
The decision comes after President Donald Trump said there was no immediate need to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow him to deploy the military to police the protests. However, Judge Katherine Menendez has taken matters into her own hands, issuing an 83-page order that restricts the aggressive tactics of immigration agents in northern US cities.
The move follows widespread protests across Minneapolis against ICE's efforts to target undocumented migrants, with some officers responding with violence. At least four people have died in ICE detention so far this year, according to agency data. The family of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman who was fatally shot by an ICE officer on January 7, has retained top lawyers to probe the killing and launch possible legal action.
Minnesota's governor, Tim Walz, has accused federal agents of waging "a campaign of organised brutality against the people of Minnesota," while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called for peaceful protests against immigration sweeps in his state. The US Department of Justice is also investigating both Frey and Walz for impeding federal officers.
The decision by Judge Menendez has been hailed as a victory by anti-ICE activists, who have expressed concerns over the aggressive tactics employed by immigration agents in recent weeks. However, it remains to be seen how long this order will remain in place, given the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and protesters.
A US district judge has ordered federal immigration agents to dial back their aggressive tactics in Minneapolis, barring the detention or arrest of peaceful protesters and drivers, as well as the use of pepper spray against demonstrators. The 72-hour compliance order follows two incidents where federal agents opened fire, killing one person and wounding another, in what many see as a disturbing escalation of tensions between law enforcement and anti-ICE protesters.
The decision comes after President Donald Trump said there was no immediate need to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow him to deploy the military to police the protests. However, Judge Katherine Menendez has taken matters into her own hands, issuing an 83-page order that restricts the aggressive tactics of immigration agents in northern US cities.
The move follows widespread protests across Minneapolis against ICE's efforts to target undocumented migrants, with some officers responding with violence. At least four people have died in ICE detention so far this year, according to agency data. The family of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman who was fatally shot by an ICE officer on January 7, has retained top lawyers to probe the killing and launch possible legal action.
Minnesota's governor, Tim Walz, has accused federal agents of waging "a campaign of organised brutality against the people of Minnesota," while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called for peaceful protests against immigration sweeps in his state. The US Department of Justice is also investigating both Frey and Walz for impeding federal officers.
The decision by Judge Menendez has been hailed as a victory by anti-ICE activists, who have expressed concerns over the aggressive tactics employed by immigration agents in recent weeks. However, it remains to be seen how long this order will remain in place, given the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and protesters.