BREAKING: US Judge Limits ICE Actions Against Protesters
A US judge restricts ICE actions in Minneapolis protests, setting 5 limits on arrests and force. The immigration ruling sparks outrage and debate nationwide.
A U.S. federal judge has issued an order limiting crowd control tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents against “peaceful and non-disruptive” protesters in Minneapolis.
Judge Katherine Menendez ruled Friday night that federal agents cannot arrest or pepper-spray peaceful protesters, including those monitoring and observing ICE agents.
The ruling comes ahead of weekend protests against a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in the city and follows the fatal shooting of Renée Good by an ICE agent earlier this month.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it is taking steps to protect officers from rioters.
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On Friday, Minnesota officials urged protesters taking to the streets this weekend to remain orderly and peaceful.
The state's National Guard has been placed on alert, and other law enforcement officers have been deployed ahead of both anticipated anti-ICE demonstrations and a counter-march planned by a conservative influencer.
Judge Menendez's 83-page order prohibits federal agents from arresting and “using pepper spray or similar non-lethal munitions and crowd dispersal devices against individuals who are engaged in peaceful and non-disruptive protest activity.”
The ruling, which stems from a lawsuit filed by a group of protesters in December, also prohibits agents from “stopping or detaining drivers and passengers in vehicles where there is no reasonable suspicion that they are forcibly obstructing or interfering with their work.”
It states, “The act of safely following [immigration agents] at a reasonable distance does not, in itself, create reasonable suspicion to justify a vehicle stop.” A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the agency is "taking appropriate and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers and the public from dangerous rioters."
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The White House also criticized the ruling.
"This absurd decision embraces a dishonest, left-wing narrative," spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Politico. "The truth is: Federal agents have acted lawfully to defend themselves and ensure the integrity of their operations when individuals have attempted to interfere."
Tensions have remained high in Minneapolis since the January 7 shooting of Good, with protests occurring throughout the city.
There have been reports of some clashes between protesters and federal officers in the past week.
On Saturday, the Minnesota National Guard posted on X that troops were "on standby, ready to assist local law enforcement and public safety agencies." The post also noted that National Guard soldiers would be wearing high-visibility yellow jackets "to distinguish them from other agencies with similar uniforms."
Also on Friday, the Department of Justice announced it was investigating two prominent state Democrats—Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey—for allegedly attempting to obstruct federal immigration operations.
Both have criticized ICE operations in the city.
"Let this be a reminder to everyone in Minnesota: No one is above the law," U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in an online statement.
The investigation was criticized by Walz and Frey.
"Using the justice system as a weapon against your political opponents is the hallmark of a dictatorship," Walz said in a statement.
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