MINNEAPOLIS, January 13 —The state of Minnesota filed a lawsuit Monday against the Trump administration, calling the deployment of thousands of federal immigration agents a “federal invasion of the Twin Cities.” The dramatic legal action follows an ICE-involved shooting that killed a U.S. citizen and has sparked nationwide protests, intensifying a months-long clash between federal and local authorities.
What is the Minnesota lawsuit about?
The state’s lawsuit, filed Monday, argues that the massive federal immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota constitutes an unlawful overreach and invasion. The filing comes amid a surge of around 3,000 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and ICE agents in the Minneapolis area under “Operation Metro Surge.” State officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, have repeatedly demanded federal agents leave and cooperate with local investigations into last week’s fatal shooting.
What happened in the ICE shooting of Renee Good?
On Wednesday, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three, Renee Good, in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a video purporting to show Good “stalking and impeding” an operation before the shooting, claiming the agent acted in self-defense. A separate cell phone video from the agent, obtained by CNN, captures the moments leading up to the gunfire but not the shooting itself. The Justice Department has blocked state investigators from a joint probe, taking sole control of the investigation.
How many federal agents are in Minnesota?
The deployment has reached approximately 3,000 agents. CNN reported an initial surge of about 2,000 agents last week, followed by an additional 1,000 who began deploying over the weekend. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that DHS law enforcement has made over 2,000 arrests since “Operation Metro Surge” began in December, an operation initially described as targeting undocumented Somali immigrants.
What is the conflict between local and federal officials?
Tensions have reached a boiling point with high-level public accusations:
Federal View: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Minnesota Democrats Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey of inflaming public sentiment and encouraging “destruction and violence.” She told them to “grow up” during a CNN interview.
Local View: Mayor Frey condemned the shooting, calling Minneapolis a safe city and stating, “Anybody can see that this victim is not a domestic terrorist.” He and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) have demanded ICE leave the city, with Omar claiming agents are creating “confusion [and] chaos” by operating in unmarked cars and masks.
Where are the nationwide protests happening?
Outrage over the shooting and the immigration surge has sparked a national protest movement. Over 1,000 demonstrations were planned across the U.S. over the weekend. Major rallies occurred in Los Angeles, outside the White House in Washington D.C., and in Minneapolis, where thousands marched to the site of Good’s shooting. Protesters carried signs with messages like “ICE Out” and “The Trump Fascist Regime MUST GO NOW!!”
FAQ: Minnesota vs. Federal Immigration Operations
Q: Why is Minnesota suing the federal government?
A: The state alleges the large-scale deployment of federal immigration agents constitutes an unlawful “invasion” and overstep of federal authority, following a breakdown in cooperation and a deadly shooting by an ICE agent.
Q: Who was Renee Good?
A: Renee Good was a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. The conflict’s main focus is now her death.
Q: What is Operation Metro Surge?
A: It is a Trump administration immigration enforcement operation that began in December 2025, ramping up arrests in the Minneapolis area. Federal officials initially stated it targeted undocumented Somali immigrants.
