Minnesota AG Keith Ellison: ICE operations are about "politics and retribution"
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Key takeaways
- Political framing: Ellison calls the ICE surge a constitutional crisis and describes it as "politics and retribution" rather than routine enforcement.
- No current federal probe? He cites statements suggesting no active federal investigation into Renee Good’s death.
- Not sanctuary state, uneven cooperation: Minnesota maintains state laws that restrict cooperation with detainers in places, with evidence of uneven practice among counties.
- Legal challenges ahead: The state is pursuing a federal injunction to limit DHS operations amid concerns about warrantless arrests and civil-immigration procedures.
- Costs and civil liberties at stake: Ellison highlights substantial local costs and ongoing injury reports related to crowd-control and less-lethal munitions.
Context and stakes
In a CBS News interview, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison described the surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities as a constitutional crisis and framed the moves as "politics and retribution". He says there is no evidence of a federal investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers earlier this month, and he points to statements from Todd Blanche, the DOJ’s No. 2 official, indicating that there is no ongoing probe. Ellison noted Minnesota authorities are pursuing a full, fair and joint investigation into the case. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) had been coordinating with federal partners but withdrew from the joint investigation after the FBI was designated to lead. The BCA stated that a U.S. Attorney’s Office decision informed them that they would not have access to case materials or scene evidence to complete an independent review.
Ellison emphasized that Minnesota authorities would not abandon a robust review of the Good shooting and argued that the surge has shifted public opinion and legal risk toward the administration.
Key allegations
Ellison and his office highlight accusations of warrantless arrests without individualized assessment, including potential civil immigration arrests without probable cause, along with concerns about racial profiling and what he described as excessive detention. DHS says there are a few arrest videos that were taken out of context; Ellison says those videos are not representative and that the state will defend its position in court.
Investigation dynamics
Ellison notes that the DHS has said it follows the same process of investigation and review under ICE and DHS, but he questions this framing when a surge is in play. He cites the case of a 5-year-old Liam Ramos, whose image was circulated, and challenges the DHS’ description of the boy as abandoned. He calls the portrayal and the operation atrocity tied to the deportation effort the agency has labeled "Operation Metro Surge".
Cooperation and state policy
Ellison states that Minnesota is not a sanctuary state but that state law and court orders sometimes bar collaboration with ICE detainers. He says immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and the state cannot simply join in by detaining individuals who are being held for other offenses. He notes uneven cooperation: Hennepin County does not notify ICE when detainees are released, while the Department of Corrections does notify ICE.
Legal and policy implications
He frames the debate as a clash between constitutional rights and federal policy goals. He cites First Amendment voting rights and Fourth Amendment protections, warning that ongoing enforcement could drift away from due process. The legal question looms: can injunctions blocking DHS operations survive appellate review?
Costs and public impact
Ellison argues the operation imposes a heavy price on local governments: hundreds of thousands of dollars daily on crowd control, overtime and emergency response. He details a steady stream of injury complaints tied to pepper spray, tear gas and less-lethal munitions, underscoring the human cost of the current enforcement approach.
What readers can do
Stay informed about evolving policy, rights protections, and the balance of powers in federal immigration enforcement. Consider following related reporting for deeper analysis of how such actions shape civil liberties and local governance.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/minnesota-ag-keith-ellison-accuses-white-house-of-politics-and-retribution/
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