Federal Judge Katherine Menendez issued a temporary injunction restricting the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and other federal agents against protesters in Minneapolis. The decision was made amid escalating tensions following the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent on January 7, 2026. This was reported by Bloomberg, writes UNN.
Details
According to the court order, agents are prohibited from:
- using pepper spray, less-lethal munitions, and other crowd control measures against peaceful demonstrators;
- detaining or arresting individuals without reasonable suspicion of committing a crime;
- stopping vehicles solely for "following" agents' cars (unless it obstructs their work);
- taking any retaliatory measures against observers and protesters.
Judge Menendez noted that the records demonstrate "a widespread pattern of conduct that restricts the First Amendment rights of observers and protesters."
Political confrontation
The court's decision came the day after President Donald Trump threatened to deploy military forces in Minnesota to quell unrest caused by ICE actions under Operation "Metro Surge." Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated that the agency acts constitutionally to protect its employees from "dangerous rioters."
Ms. Tincher believes that ICE retaliated against her for seeking information about their activities, observing them, and protesting against them.
Context of the tragedy
Minneapolis became the epicenter of protests after the death of Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE officer while in her car. This incident caused a sharp conflict between the Minnesota state authorities and the Trump administration. State Attorney General Keith Ellison has already filed a separate lawsuit, accusing the federal government of political retaliation against the region.