Nationwide Protests Escalate as Court Allows Controversial ICE Operation to Continue
Protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations swelled in cities across the country on Saturday, fueled by a federal court ruling that allowed a contentious enforcement surge in Minnesota to proceed. The decision, seen as a setback for local authorities challenging the Trump administration's tactics, has intensified a national debate over immigration enforcement and states' rights.
U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez denied a request by the state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul for a preliminary injunction to stop 'Operation Metro Surge.' The operation, which has deployed thousands of federal agents to the Twin Cities region, has been at the center of a legal battle since its launch, with local officials decrying it as a "federal invasion" characterized by warrantless arrests and excessive force.
In her ruling, Judge Menendez acknowledged the operation's "profound and even heartbreaking" consequences on communities, citing evidence of racial profiling, resource strain on local police, and a chilling effect on school attendance and small businesses. However, she concluded that the potential harm of halting the program outweighed the plaintiffs' claims at this stage, particularly regarding their argument that the administration violated the 10th Amendment.
The ruling came as organizers staged a second day of a national "No work, no school, no shopping" strike. From Los Angeles to New York, demonstrators marched under banners demanding ICE leave their communities. In Minneapolis, a memorial bike ride honored Alex Pretti, one of two individuals killed during encounters with federal agents this month—deaths that have become a rallying cry for the movement.
The Department of Homeland Security hailed the court's decision as "a win for public safety and law and order." Conversely, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed deep disappointment, stating the ruling "doesn't change what people here have lived through — fear, disruption, and harm caused by a federal operation that never belonged here." Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison vowed to continue the legal fight.
The political and social fallout continues to widen. The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into Pretti's shooting, while the arrests of journalists covering related protests have sparked fresh outrage over press freedom. Meanwhile, legislative efforts, such as a proposal in New York to ban police collaboration with ICE, signal escalating state-level resistance to federal immigration strategies.
Voices from the Public:
Michael Rodriguez, Community Organizer, Chicago: "This ruling ignores the terror our neighbors are living in. Judge Menendez admitted the harm yet allowed it to continue. It's a legal endorsement of a policy that fractures families and sows fear in broad daylight."
Dr. Anya Sharma, Political Science Professor, Stanford: "The court is navigating an incredibly complex federalism issue. While not granting the injunction, the judge meticulously documented the operation's societal costs. This creates a powerful record for future appeals and political accountability."
Rebecca "Beck" O'Malley, Software Engineer & Activist, Austin: "It's a disgrace. They spell out the brutality in cold legal terms—'racial profiling,' 'excessive force'—and then say 'carry on.' This isn't law and order; it's state-sanctioned intimidation. Where's the injunction against trampling the Constitution?"
Carl Jenkins, Retired Police Captain, Denver: "As someone who worked with federal agencies, this level of friction is counterproductive. The judge's call for balance is correct in principle, but the trust is broken. Real security requires cooperation, not an occupying force that makes local law enforcement's job harder."
This report includes contributions from CNN's national and legal affairs teams.