The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Minnesota Monday over sanctuary policies “that interfere with the federal government’s enforcement of its immigration laws.”
“Minnesota officials are jeopardizing the safety of their own citizens by allowing illegal aliens to circumvent the legal process,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. “This Department of Justice will continue to bring litigation against any jurisdiction that uses sanctuary policies to defy federal law and undermine law enforcement.”
The lawsuit names the state of Minnesota, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Hennepin County, state Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt as defendants.
It argues that sanctuary policies are not only illegal under federal law but also result in the release of dangerous criminals from police custody who would otherwise be subject to removal.
“Governor [Tim] Walz has reaffirmed and celebrated that Minnesota and various localities within the state intend to continue obstructing federal immigration enforcement, allowing criminals in their jurisdictions to be released into American communities despite known dangerous consequences,” the lawsuit says.
“Accordingly, the United States brings this action against the State of Minnesota, the City of Minneapolis, the City of St. Paul, and Hennepin County to stop them from enforcing state and local laws that impede the Executive from enforcing federal immigration law,” it adds.
In August, the DOJ placed Minnesota on a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, which the department defines as “having policies, laws, or regulations that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws.”
The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul both released statements defending their policies.
“Minneapolis will not back down. We will fight with all our strength for our immigrant neighbors — and we will win,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “Donald Trump has built his career on attacking immigrants and dividing Americans, and now he’s dragging our city into court with a fear-driven, politically motivated lawsuit.”
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter vowed to “stand with our immigrant and refugee neighbors no matter how many unconstitutional claims the White House makes.”
The DOJ said it has filed similar lawsuits against Boston, New York City, New Jersey, Colorado, and Los Angeles.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
