Minnesota sues over immigration raids

Twin Cities join suit accusing Homeland Security of violating free speech rights.

- BY REBECCA SANTANA, MARK VANCLEAVE AND STEVE KARNOWSKI

PROTESTERS try to avoid tear gas from federal agents Monday in Minneapolis.

(ADAM GRAY Associated Press)

Minnesota and its two largest cities sued the Trump administration Monday to try to stop an immigration enforcement surge that led to the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal officer and evoked outrage and protests across the country.

The state, joined by Minneapolis and St. Paul, said the Department of Homeland Security is violating the 1st Amendment and other constitutional protections.

The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement action or limit the operation.

"This is, in essence, a federal invasion of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and it must stop," state Atty. Gen. Keith Ellison said at a news conference. "These poorly trained, aggressive and armed agents of the federal state have terrorized Minnesota with widespread unlawful conduct."

Homeland Security is pledging to put more than 2,000 immigration officers into Minnesota and says it has made more than 2,000 arrests since December. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has called the surge its largest enforcement operation ever.

The lawsuit accuses the Republican Trump administration of violating free speech rights by targeting a progressive state that favors Democrats and welcomes immigrants.