Ellison files suit as local, tribal leaders react to heightened ICE presence

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.

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Northern Minnesotans turn out for vigils, anti-ICE demonstrations

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Demonstrations and events in Bemidji, Grand Rapids and Brainerd aimed to speak out against aggressive immigration enforcement that is largely focused on the Twin Cities metro.

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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.