US Justice Department sues Minnesota over sanctuary policies

30/9/2025 12:39

The U.S. Justice Department said on Monday it has sued Minnesota and state officials over its immigration sanctuary policies, the latest move in a legal campaign by Republican President Donald Trump's administration against jurisdictions run by Democrats.



The department said the state was carrying out policies that are illegal under federal law.



It alleged that the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Hennepin County had refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, which resulted in the release of what it described as "dangerous criminals," including people convicted of assault and human trafficking. Those individuals, it said, would have normally been subject to removal from the U.S.



"Minnesota officials are jeopardizing the safety of their own citizens by allowing illegal aliens to circumvent the legal process,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.



Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called the lawsuit "baseless" political retaliation against the state, while pledging to respond in court. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city will continue to fight for its immigrants, adding that it "will not back down."