Minneapolis judge bars DHS agents from arresting peaceful protesters

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Source: Washington Post

A federal judge on Friday night prohibited Department of Homeland Security agents from arresting people who are peacefully protesting immigration officers in Minneapolis unless they are suspected of criminal activity or obstructing the agents.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez in Minneapolis said her order will remain in effect until the operation concludes or “conditions change such that it is no longer necessary.” It also bars federal agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters, using pepper spray and other nonlethal munitions against demonstrators, and stopping or detaining people in cars for following agents’ vehicles.

A federal judge on Friday night prohibited Department of Homeland Security agents from arresting people who are peacefully protesting immigration officers in Minneapolis unless they are suspected of criminal activity or obstructing the agents.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez in Minneapolis said her order will remain in effect until the operation concludes or “conditions change such that it is no longer necessary.” It also bars federal agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters, using pepper spray and other nonlethal munitions against demonstrators, and stopping or detaining people in cars for following agents’ vehicles....

The lawsuit names Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Todd M. Lyons and local ICE field office directors and agents as defendants. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota is representing the plaintiffs.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/01/16/minneapolis-ice-protester-arrests-judge/

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Minneapolis judge bars DHS agents from arresting peaceful protesters

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/...

— Brooklynwatch (@brooklynwatch.bsky.social) 2026-01-17T03:07:44.285Z

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. This ruling makes me smile

Link to tweet

[ancianita]

3. This should give my grandson & friends at UMN some comfort.

[riversedge]

7. I also wish it was a permanent restraining order. --instead of a TRO (temporary restraining order)!!....

Link to tweet

?s=20

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. Legally, the court could only issue a TRO at this stage

The permanent injunction is next

[Figarosmom]

2. Don't know

If this will help at all since ICE is calling everything obstruction.

[ancianita]

4. Well

ICE aren't qualified to call anything obstruction, and courts could rule false arrest, fine or possibly jail them for violating the above court orders. Judges are familiar with sneaky actions and workaround lingo to justify it.

[Cha]

5. Justice For Good!

Mahalo, LMPV, the Judge, and Minneapolis Residents!!

[riversedge]

6. ....... Safely following agents "at an appropriate distance does not, by itself, create reasonable suspicion to justify

Judge rules immigration officers in Minneapolis can't detain peaceful protesters
January 16, 202611:57 PM ET

By The Associated Press

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/16/g-s1-106374/immigration-peaceful-protesters

.............

U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez's ruling addresses a case filed in December on behalf of six Minnesota activists. The six are among the thousands who have been observing the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol officers enforcing the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area since last month..............................


..............The ruling prohibits the officers from detaining drivers and passengers in vehicles when there is no reasonable suspicion they are obstructing or interfering with the officers.

Safely following agents "at an appropriate distance does not, by itself, create reasonable suspicion to justify a vehicle stop," the ruling said.

Menendez said the agents would not be allowed to arrest people without probable cause or reasonable suspicion the person has committed a crime or was obstructing or interfering with the activities of officers.

[riversedge]

8. "Because none of these factors support a stay here, the Court denies Defendants request for a stay pending appeal. Of co

I have no doubt at all that this will be appealed.



"Because none of these factors support a stay here, the Court denies Defendants request for a stay pending appeal. Of course, either party can seek such a stay from the Court of Appeals"

Link to tweet

?s=20

[travelingthrulife]

10. Well, given that the Cowards of Ice attack first, then claim protestor violence, this

won't slow them down much.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

11. Judge orders federal agents to stop pepper spraying, retaliating against peaceful Minnesota protesters

The ruling in a case from December applies to federal agents participating in immigration enforcement under Operation Metro Surge.

U.S. judge orders federal agents to stop pepper spraying, retaliating against peaceful Minnesota protesters

www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

— Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” (@ryanjreilly.com) 2026-01-17T03:43:10.294Z

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/us-judge-orders-federal-agents-stop-pepper-spraying-retaliating-peacef-rcna254514

A federal judge on Friday ordered federal law enforcement participating in the Minnesota immigration crackdown to stop pepper spraying, detaining and pulling over peaceful protesters.

The preliminary injunction by Judge Katherine Menendez of the U.S. district court in Minnesota applies to federal agents and officers participating in Operation Metro Surge, the controversial immigration crackdown launched by the Trump administration as part of its broader deportation plan.

A federal judge on Friday ordered federal law enforcement participating in the Minnesota immigration crackdown to stop pepper spraying, detaining and pulling over peaceful protesters.

The preliminary injunction by Judge Katherine Menendez of the U.S. district court in Minnesota applies to federal agents and officers participating in Operation Metro Surge, the controversial immigration crackdown launched by the Trump administration as part of its broader deportation plan.

The injunction for now prohibits “retaliating against persons who are engaging in peaceful and unobstructive protest activity, including observing the activities of Operation Metro Surge,” according to Friday’s ruling.

Federal law enforcement is also ordered not to detain or arrest otherwise lawful protesters, use pepper spray against them as a crowd dispersal measure, or stop vehicles when there is no reasonable suspicion those inside are hindering federal agents’ and officers’ efforts on immigration.