MINNEAPOLIS — President Trump has gone to court against Minnesota to end what he calls “sanctuary jurisdictions” that protect illegal immigrants. The lawsuit, filed in the name of Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi, claims that the state and several localities limit police cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in making deportation arrets. The change has been rebutted as Trump bullying to preclude local policing. In recent Congressional testimony, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz denied that the state was disallowing ICE deportation activities so long as they are legal and respectful of local policies and protocols:
“The fact is, Minnesota cooperates with federal immigration authorities in a number of ways. When there is a convicted felon in our prisons, we ask about their immigration status and we share that information with the Department of Homeland Security ff they are undocumented. That is codified in Minnesota state law.”
Trump, however, wants ICE agents to be free to roam the state and arrest anyone whose immigration status they suspect. Many ICE arrests since Trump became president have led to immediate deportation without judicial review. Many have proven wrong, some too late to preclude deportation. The new Trump suit names Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County and top state officials. There also are similar lawsuits against other states with Democratic leadership that Trump, a Republican, regards as personal enemies. The suits seek to overthrown local ordinances that limit what data can be shared with federal immigration agents. These local ordinances were designed to protect human rights against governmental abuse through judicial processes. Bondi’s position, however, is different:
“Minnesota officials are jeopardizing the safety of their own citizens by allowing illegal aliens to circumvent the legal process to bring litigation against any jurisdiction that uses sanctuary policies to defy federal law and undermine law enforcement.”
The lawsuit follows a blundered release in May of a list of Minnesota counties and cities that supposedly had sanctuary policies. The list, from Trump’s homeland security chief, former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, was flawed and withdrawn— a desperate attempt, say critics, of someone new to her cabinet post to demonstrate her loyalty to Trump. Similarly, say critics, Bondi, who’s s been Trump’s attorney general only since February, feels pressure to prove her loyalty within the Trump appartik.
Earlier: Safe for now: Data on food-stamp recipients
Earlier: Trump takes down his sanctuary allegations
Earlier: Trump sees sanctuary sites all over Minnesota
Earlier: Walz berated as enemy of Trump deportations
Earlier: Walz on Trump deportation practices: They’re Gestap
Bondi. U.S. attorney general, at Trump behest.
Walz. Minnesota governor, before Congress.
Noem. Trump cabinet member for homeland security.
Ellison. Minnesota attorney general.
Verbatim
Ellison: “This baseless lawsuit is just more political retaliation against Minnesota and we will respond in court. In the meantime, Minnesota will continue to use our law enforcement resources to actually improve public safety.”