Minneapolis, USA – Federal Judge Kate Menendez issued an injunction imposing immediate restrictions on the movements of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota.
This move aims to calm the tense situation in the state following the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Goode by federal agents a week ago.
Judicial restrictions
The judge ordered FBI agents to stop stopping or detaining protesters in their vehicles except in cases of “direct obstruction” of their work.
She also prohibited the use of pepper spray against protesters.
The court gave the Department of Homeland Security 72 hours to comply with these restrictions.
In a dramatic development, US media revealed that the Justice Department has opened an investigation
into Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for “obstructing the work of immigration authorities.”
The responses from the local officials were sharp:
Tim Walz (Governor of Minnesota): He described the investigation as
an “authoritarian strategy” to use the judiciary against opponents.
Jacob Frey (Mayor): He considered the federal actions “a clear attempt at intimidation.” Both officials insist they will not welcome federal agents.
They also question the integrity of the FBI investigation into the killing of Goode (37 years old),
citing videos that contradict the “self-defense” narrative.
Trump’s position
For his part, President Donald Trump temporarily backed down from his threat to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy the military to the state.
He told reporters at the White House, “If I need to use it, I will, but I don’t see the need for it at this time.”
On the ground, tensions remain high after an immigration officer shot a Venezuelan man in the leg Wednesday night.
This incident further fueled clashes.
Hundreds of additional personnel joined the approximately 2,000 troops and security personnel already deployed in the state.
Civilians continued to resist immigration enforcement officers in heavy snow,
attempting to disrupt the series of arrests carried out by federal authorities.
