US appeals court blocks lower court order limiting immigration agents’ use of force in Minnesota

A federal appeals court on Wednesday paused a lower court order that had restricted US immigration agents from using force against peaceful protesters in Minnesota, giving a temporary victory to the Trump administration as it escalates immigration enforcement in the state.

The 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals froze an injunction issued last week by US District Judge Kate Menendez, who had barred federal agents from using tear gas and other crowd-control tactics against nonviolent demonstrators and legal observers while a lawsuit moves forward.




Protesters in the Minneapolis area sued the administration in December, alleging their constitutional rights were violated during mass immigration operations.

Government attorneys argued the restrictions impaired officers’ ability to protect themselves and the public during dangerous situations. The appeals court agreed to suspend the ruling while the administration pursues its appeal.

Minnesota has become a central focus of the administration’s immigration crackdown under “Operation Metro Surge,” a Department of Homeland Security initiative launched in early December targeting the Twin Cities.

Federal officials say more than 10,000 people living in the US illegally have been arrested statewide over the past year, including about 3,000 individuals described as serious offenders in the past six weeks alone.

Immigration advocates dispute those figures, saying there is little transparency surrounding arrests.

Protests intensified following the January 7 killing of 37-year-old American woman Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Federal officials said the agent acted in self-defence, alleging Good attempted to run him over with her SUV.

However, that account has been challenged by eyewitnesses, journalists, local officials and Democratic lawmakers, who cite video footage suggesting she was trying to drive away when the agent fired.

A political action committee founded by former Vice President Kamala Harris has urged donors to support Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, warning that the Justice Department is targeting political opponents of President Donald Trump.

Elsewhere, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows declined a request from US Customs and Border Protection for additional undercover license plates, citing concerns over “abuses of power” by immigration officers.

Bellows said her office has paused issuing new plates until assurances are provided they will not be used unlawfully.

Vice President JD Vance is expected to visit Minneapolis on Thursday for a roundtable with local leaders and community members, news agency AP reported citing sources familiar with the plans.