Justice Department sues Minnesota for sanctuary policies
- The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota and its Twin Cities over their sanctuary city policies.
- The lawsuit argues that such policies endanger public safety by allowing criminal illegal aliens to avoid federal enforcement.
- Local officials are committed to fighting the lawsuit, asserting their dedication to protecting immigrant communities.
In a significant move by the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota, along with its major cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, challenging their sanctuary city policies. The announcement was made on September 30, 2020, by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who argued that these policies hinder local cooperation with federal immigration authorities and endanger public safety. The lawsuit alleges that individuals protected under these policies include those convicted of serious crimes, which poses a risk to residents and disrupts federal legal processes. Additionally, the lawsuit extends to Hennepin County and key local officials, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna S. Witt. The Trump's administration aims to pressure Democratic-led jurisdictions to comply with federal immigration laws, reflecting broader patterns of resistance against sanctuary policies across various states. Despite the DOJ's efforts, critics argue that such measures are unconstitutional and compromise the safety of immigrant communities. Responses from local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, demonstrate a resolve to oppose the lawsuit, stressing their commitment to support their immigrant populations. They reassured residents that they would not yield to federal intimidation tactics and referenced their previous legal victories against the administration. This case is part of a larger trend of litigation targeting sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide as part of the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement strategy. The actions have led to mixed outcomes in court and have intensified national debates around immigration, local versus federal authority, and public safety. As both sides prepare for a legal battle, the focus remains on the implications of sanctuary policies for communities and the potential precedence this lawsuit could set for similar cases in the future.