Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit Monday, Jan. 12, on behalf of the state and Minneapolis and St. Paul, asking the court to end what he calls an “unprecedented surge” of federal agents.
The lawsuit cites militarized raids, unconstitutional and dangerous stops and arrests, and numerous instances of excessive force leading to the diversion of public safety resources and the shuttering of metro area schools.
“The unlawful deployment of thousands of armed, masked, and poorly trained federal agents is hurting Minnesota,” stated Ellison in a news release. “People are being racially profiled, harassed, terrorized and assaulted. Schools have gone into lockdown. Businesses have been forced to close.
"Minnesota police are spending countless hours dealing with the chaos ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] is causing. This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop, so today I am suing DHS [Department of Homeland Security] to bring it to an end.”
Valley News Live reported ICE activity in Detroit Lakes Monday, with agents reportedly being spotted in numerous locations.
While rumors of sightings of ICE agents in Bemidji circulated over the weekend, none have been confirmed as of Monday afternoon.
Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin stated in a Monday memo that his office has not been notified of any planned immigration enforcement activities in the city.
He added the Bemidji Police Department is responsible for upholding state and local laws and would not be proactively involved with immigration enforcement on behalf of federal agents.
“If protests, demonstrations or other gatherings occur, our officers may respond to assess whether the activity is lawful, ensure public safety, protect everyone present, de-escalate situations and maintain the peace for those exercising their First Amendment right,” stated Mastin in his memo.
Mastin stated it is unlawful to obstruct immigration enforcement operations and advises bystanders to maintain a safe distance while observing ICE actions.
A request for comment from ICE was not returned as of Monday afternoon.
Tribal leaders across the state are condemning what appears to be racial profiling by ICE agents in the Twin Cities and they encourage tribal members and their descendants to carry documentation of their First Citizen status.
ICT reported on the temporary detention of a 20-year-old Red Lake Nation descendant in the Twin Cities on Thursday. The Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota claimed four of its members were recently detained by ICE agents.
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Chairman Faron Jackson issued a tribal service announcement Monday. He advised any band member detained by ICE to call Tribal Council Administration at 218-335-8200.
“I am holding firm on the position that Homeland Security ICE Agents could have been more effective if they met with community leaders, elected leaders and sought community support with the illegal immigration crisis facing our country,” stated Jackson in the release.
“Presently, seeing our citizens being hurt is wrong, this must stop immediately, until there’s a more humane way to address the policies on illegal immigration facing the U.S.”
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the White Earth Nation, the Red Lake Nation and others have temporarily waived fees for tribal IDs. Minnesota’s tribal nations are also hosting tribal ID processing days at their Twin Cities offices this week.
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Plus: State lawmakers are considering bills to address Greater Minnesota housing needs; MnDOT has several road construction projects planned in the Northland; and the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority awarded grants to five Northland communities. -
Contributed/Karina Kafka / Report for MinnesotaAn 8-1 U.S. Supreme Court decision is likely to put a conversion therapy ban in Minnesota in jeopardy, and bills are aiming to keep it in place without restricting speech. -
The bill would require state-funded programs including Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare to cover the costs of infertility health care, such as in vitro fertilization. -
Ammonia is the key to nitrogen fertilizer, and almost all ammonia in Minnesota, nearly 1 million tons per year, is imported from Gulf Coast states and internationally. -
Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff's OfficeThe St. Louis County Sheriff's Office states Clayton Leroy Nukala Jr. was last seen walking toward the woods in a white bathrobe on April 12, 2026. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashOfficers from the Hibbing Police Department responded to a report of a woman threatening to set herself on fire. -
The bill seeks to integrate wild rice waters into the ag department's pesticide management plan, developing better practices to monitor pesticide distribution, use and disposal. -
Contributed/Karina Kafka / Report for MinnesotaTwo bills aim to expand housing-related infrastructure, including sewers and water lines, and support workforce housing through grants to cities and tribal nations. -
Their schedules are booked solid, and graduation is only a few weeks away, but seniors Maddy and Abby Koivisto are engaged in class every day and always willing to lend a hand.
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And: Minnesota-based nonprofit says Big Tech fight reminiscent of Big Tobacco crackdown; and National Weather Service offering free weather spotter classes.
