Department of Justice Sues Minnesota Over Sanctuary Policies

Sat Oct 11 2025 13:47:29 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The U.S. Department of Justice is taking legal action against Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Hennepin County, alleging that their sanctuary policies hinder federal immigration enforcement and jeopardize public safety.

The lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice claims that Minnesota's sanctuary policies result in the release of dangerous criminals who should face deportation. Minnesota officials, however, argue that they are not obstructing federal immigration efforts. This action reflects ongoing tensions over immigration in various U.S. jurisdictions.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice has officially initiated a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota, its two largest cities—Minneapolis and St. Paul—and Hennepin County, targeting the so-called sanctuary policies that allegedly interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday, contends that the policies in question facilitate the release of dangerous criminals who would otherwise face deportation, seeking action from a federal court to nullify local laws that impede immigration enforcement efforts.

Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed strong concern, stating, Minnesota officials are jeopardizing the safety of their own citizens by allowing illegal aliens to circumvent the legal process.

This latest action is part of President Trump's administration's wider agenda, as they have also pursued legal action against several other states including Colorado, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey, as well as major cities like Boston and Chicago for similar policies.

In response, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison maintained that his state isn't obstructing federal authorities from collaborating with local law enforcement to prosecute criminals. He characterized the lawsuit as politically motivated retaliation, asserting, This baseless lawsuit is just more political retaliation against Minnesota and we will respond in court.

The litigation stems from a nonbinding advisory opinion issued by Ellison in February, which stated that state or local authorities are not permitted to hold individuals solely for immigration detainers if those individuals would be released otherwise. The lawsuit points out that several counties cite this opinion as justification for not complying with federal detainers, while Minnesota also prohibits the sharing of driver’s license data with immigration authorities.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stood firm on the issue, proclaiming, Our city proudly welcomes immigrants, refugees, and families seeking opportunity and vowed not to yield to federal pressure. Frey accused Trump of utilizing such legal action as a means to further divide Americans and assault immigrant communities.

Furthermore, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz contested the characterization of the state as a sanctuary state, emphasizing that there are no laws barring deportation. He noted that while Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Hennepin County limit how their officials interact with immigration enforcement, this does not equate to being a sanctuary jurisdiction, which typically includes policies that restrict cooperation with federal authorities.

The fight over immigration policies reflects broader national tensions, with Minnesota recently being identified as one of many jurisdictions labeled as “sanctuary jurisdictions” by the Department of Homeland Security. As ongoing legal battles unfold, the ramifications for local governance and community relations with immigrant populations remain a significant concern.