Archive · 21 Jan 2026
US Subpoenas Minnesota Leaders in Immigration Probe
The Trump administration is sending many immigration agents to Minnesota, which has caused a lot of protests.
The state of Minnesota, along with Minneapolis and St. Paul, sued the administration to stop these operations, called Operation Metro Surge.
The state wants to prevent federal agents from making arrests at places like schools and hospitals.
The federal government says the state is trying to interfere with federal law.
The court is deciding whether to temporarily stop the operations while the case is being decided.
The judge has not yet said when she will make a decision.
Recently, the federal government also sent subpoenas to the governor, attorney general, and mayor, asking for documents related to their opposition to the immigration crackdown.
Many people in Minnesota are upset about the federal agents' actions, including a recent shooting of an American woman by an agent.
The Trump administration is fighting a court order to halt increased federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul sued the administration to stop Operation Metro Surge and block arrests at sensitive locations.
The Justice Department called the state's request 'frivolous' and argued it would put public safety at risk.
The case also challenges the use of force against protesters and the practice of federal agents wearing face coverings.
The judge has not yet announced a timeline for her decision, with the state's response due by January 22.
The U.S. Department of Justice served grand jury subpoenas to the offices of Minnesota’s governor, attorney general, and the mayor of Minneapolis.
The subpoenas seek documents related to cooperation or lack of cooperation with federal immigration authorities since the beginning of 2025.
Democratic leaders in Minnesota have called the federal investigation a 'partisan distraction' and 'intimidation tactic'.
- Who
- Trump Administration, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Attorney General Keith Ellison
- What
- Legal battle and subpoenas over federal immigration enforcement escalation in Minnesota
- When
- Ongoing, with a response deadline of January 22
- Where
- Minnesota, US District Court, District of Minnesota
- Why
- Dispute over federal authority versus state and local governance in immigration enforcement and opposition to federal actions
- Parties Involved
- Trump Administration, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Attorney General Keith Ellison
- Operation
- Operation Metro Surge
- Key Issue
- Federal immigration enforcement escalation and opposition
- Court Case
- Minnesota v. Noem, 26-cv-190, US District Court, District of Minnesota
- Judge
- Katherine Menendez
- Response Deadline
- January 22
- Federal Agents
- Thousands sent since December
- Contested Tactics
- Arrests at sensitive locations, use of force, face coverings
- Subpoenas
- Six offices served, including Governor, Attorney General, and Mayor
- Incident
- Fatal shooting of Renee Good by federal agent
Sources
Trump Administration Fights in Court to Keep Minnesota ICE Surge
Trump Asks Authorities To "Show Names, Faces" Of Immigrants Amid Crackdown
US subpoenas Minnesota leaders in criminal grand jury probe over opposition to immigration crackdown
Minnesota leaders subpoenaed in US criminal probe over opposition to immigration crackdown
