TL;DR
The state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop what they describe as an unprecedented surge of federal agents tied to an ICE operation in the Twin Cities. Plaintiffs argue the deployment is unlawful, violates constitutional rights, and endangers public safety.
What happened
On Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, the state of Minnesota together with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul filed a broad federal lawsuit asking a court to block a recent influx of federal agents operating in the Twin Cities. The complaint targets the US government and several unnamed officials connected to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation. Plaintiffs characterize the deployment as an unprecedented and unlawful surge that amounts to constitutional violations and poses a direct threat to community safety. The filing seeks to halt the flow of agents carrying out the ICE operation; the publicly available reporting on the suit frames the action as an attempt to restrain federal enforcement activity within city and state jurisdictions. Further procedural details, specific legal claims, and the named defendants’ identities beyond “the US government and several officials” are not provided in the source.
Why it matters
- Legal challenge may test the limits of federal authority to deploy immigration enforcement personnel inside a state and its cities.
- If courts grant relief, the case could constrain how and where federal immigration operations are conducted in municipal jurisdictions.
- The lawsuit raises questions about interactions between federal agents and local public-safety responsibilities in the Twin Cities.
- The dispute highlights tensions between state and local governments and federal immigration enforcement priorities.
Key facts
- Plaintiffs: the state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
- Defendants: the US government and several federal officials (no individual names provided in the source).
- Action: a sweeping federal lawsuit filed to halt a surge of federal agents tied to an ICE operation.
- Plaintiffs’ claim: the deployment is unprecedented, unlawful, violates the Constitution, and threatens public safety.
- The filing aims to stop the "flood" of agents carrying out the Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation.
- The story was reported by Dell Cameron and published on Jan. 12, 2026 in Wired.
- The suit was filed in federal court (described in the source as a federal lawsuit).
What to watch next
- Whether a federal judge issues an injunction or other emergency relief — not confirmed in the source.
- Any formal response or public statement from the US government or ICE addressing the lawsuit — not confirmed in the source.
- Details that may emerge about which federal officials were named and the legal theories the plaintiffs advance — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): A federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and investigating cross-border crime within the Department of Homeland Security.
- Federal lawsuit: A legal action filed in a federal court, often involving federal statutes, constitutional claims, or parties that include the federal government.
- Injunction: A court order that requires a party to do or to refrain from doing specific acts; plaintiffs often seek injunctions to immediately halt contested government actions.
- Constitutional violation: An action by government officials or entities that plaintiffs allege infringes rights protected by the U.S. Constitution.
Reader FAQ
Who brought the lawsuit?
The state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
What are they asking the court to do?
They seek to stop the recent surge of federal agents tied to an ICE operation, arguing the deployment is unlawful and threatens public safety.
Who are the defendants?
The suit names the US government and several federal officials; specific individual names are not provided in the source.
Has a court ruled on the case yet?
Not confirmed in the source.
DELL CAMERON SECURITY JAN 12, 2026 5:42 PM Minnesota Sues to Stop ICE ‘Invasion’ The state of Minnesota, along with the Twin Cities, have sued the US government and several…
Sources
- Minnesota Sues to Stop ICE ‘Invasion’
- Minnesota and the Twin Cities sue the federal government …
- MN Attorney General, Minneapolis and Saint Paul sue to …
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