Judge rules feds in Minneapolis immigration operation can’t detain or tear gas peaceful protesters – Chicago Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS — Federal agents in the Minneapolis area participating in the largest recent immigration enforcement operation in the United States cannot arrest or fire tear gas at peaceful protesters, a U.S. judge in Minnesota ruled Friday.

U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez ruled in a case filed in December on behalf of six Minnesota activists.

Thousands watched as Immigration, Customs and Border Patrol agents enforce the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the Minneapolis-St. Paul sector since the beginning of December.

Activists in the case are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, which says government agents are violating the constitutional rights of Twin Cities residents.

Government lawyers argued that the agents acted within their legal authority to enforce immigration laws and protect themselves.