Federal judge says ICE agents can detain drivers who are forcibly obstructing law enforcement in Minneapolis

A federal judge has ordered immigration agents not to retaliate against Minnesota activists who are engaging in “peaceful and unobstructive protest activity,” but are allowed to stop drivers who are “forcibly obstructing” officers.

US District Judge Kate M. Menendez issued the order Friday, placing new restrictions on immigration agents’ conduct during protests, but allows for agents to detain those that are forcibly obstructing ICE, such as Renee Good. The ruling prohibits agents from using pepper spray or other crowd dispersal tools. Menendez granted a preliminary injunction following a lawsuit brought by activists who alleged immigration agents violated their rights.

ICE agents, according to the suit are enjoined from “stopping or detaining drivers and passengers in vehicles where there is no reasonable articulable suspicion that they are forcibly obstructing or interfering with Covered Federal Agents.”

The lawsuit was filed before the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Good was shot and killed by an immigration agent after obstructing agents’ operations and then appearing to drive her vehicle in the direction of an agent.

In response to the injunction, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, said “DHS is taking appropriate and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers and the public from dangerous rioters.”

According to the New York Times, McLaughlin said agents have faced numerous assaults by left-wing activists, including fireworks being launched at them, vehicle tires being slashed, and “grave threats." She said agents have “followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to protect themselves, the public and federal property.” She did not speculate on whether the department is planning to appeal the ruling.

In her order, Menendez, a Biden appointee, clarified that “the court’s injunction does nothing to prevent defendants from continuing to enforce immigration laws.”

Clashes between activists and officers in Minnesota have continued since Good’s death. Protesters have gathered in groups across the state demanding that immigration authorities leave Minnesota. At the same time, Minnesota has been a focus of President Donald Trump’s immigration efforts amid allegations of widespread fraud, particularly involving the Somali community in the state.

On Friday, the DOJ launched an investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over an alleged conspiracy to obstruct and impede federal immigration authorities.