Minnesota Immigration Operation Sparks Legal Clash as Subpoenas Hit Officials
Minnesota Immigration Operation Sparks Legal Clash as Subpoenas Hit Officials
Federal subpoenas target Minnesota officials amid a sweeping immigration enforcement surge, fueling new legal battles and political tensions.
MINNEAPOLIS — Federal prosecutors served grand jury subpoenas Tuesday to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's office and five other officials as part of an investigation into whether they obstructed or impeded federal immigration enforcement during a sweeping operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The subpoenas, which seek records, were also sent to the offices of Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties, a person familiar with the matter said. The subpoenas came a day after the government urged a judge to reject efforts to stop the immigration enforcement surge that has roiled Minneapolis and St. Paul for weeks.
The Justice Department described the state's lawsuit, filed soon after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer, as “legally frivolous.” Ellison has said the government is violating free speech and other constitutional rights.
Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Minneapolis on Thursday for a roundtable with local leaders and community members, according to sources familiar with his plans who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trip had not yet been officially announced.
The subpoenas are related to an investigation into whether Minnesota officials obstructed federal immigration enforcement through public statements they made, two people familiar with the matter said, with the inquiry focusing on the potential violation of a conspiracy statute.
