Judge Bars ICE Arrests, Pepper Spray and Vehicle Stops in Minneapolis Protests
Updated (2 articles)
Judge Menendez Issues Comprehensive Limits on Federal Protest Policing Federal judge Katherine Menendez issued an 83‑page order that bars ICE from arresting peaceful demonstrators, using pepper spray or other crowd‑dispersal tools, and from stopping drivers without articulable suspicion, even when agents simply follow a vehicle at a safe distance[1]. The ruling also protects observers who record ICE activity and tightens standards for vehicle stops, reflecting a December‑filed lawsuit by protest groups[1]. It represents the most expansive judicial check on ICE’s protest‑response tactics to date[1].
ICE Previously Employed Aggressive Tactics That Prompted Safety Concerns Federal immigration agents pointed rifles at demonstrators, deployed chemical irritants, shattered vehicle windows and pulled occupants from cars during recent Minneapolis protests, actions that followed a fatal shooting of a woman in her car the previous week[2]. Critics argue these methods escalated tensions and endangered both protesters and bystanders[2]. The ACLU of Minnesota responded by filing an emergency injunction seeking to curb such forceful measures[2].
Legal Challenges and Advocacy Align With Judicial Restrictions The ACLU’s lawsuit demanded limits on chemical agents, firearm pointing at non‑threatening individuals, and interference with video recording, goals echoed in Menendez’s order[2][1]. Simultaneously, the Justice Department announced a probe into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over alleged attempts to impede federal immigration operations, adding a political dimension to the legal battles[1]. Both the injunction effort and the judge’s decision highlight growing judicial scrutiny of ICE’s protest‑policing practices[1][2].
Federal and State Officials React to the Court’s Decision DHS defended its approach as constitutional and necessary to protect officers, while the White House labeled the ruling “absurd” and insisted agents acted lawfully[1]. In anticipation of upcoming weekend demonstrations, the Department of Homeland Security placed roughly 1,500 active‑duty soldiers on standby in Alaska and put Minnesota’s National Guard on alert[1]. The heightened security posture underscores the tension between federal enforcement objectives and local protest rights[1].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
BBC: Judge limits ICE crowd‑control tactics against Minneapolis protesters: Details the federal judge’s order restricting arrests, pepper spray, and vehicle stops, outlines DHS and White House reactions, notes the National Guard alert and DOJ probe of state leaders.
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[2]
AP: Immigration agents policing protests in Minneapolis spark safety and training concerns: Describes ICE agents’ use of rifles, chemical irritants, and vehicle window breaking, reports the ACLU’s injunction request, and cites expert criticism of federal crowd‑management training.
Timeline
Dec 2025 – Protesters file a federal lawsuit challenging ICE’s crowd‑control tactics in Minneapolis, alleging unlawful arrests and the use of chemical irritants against peaceful demonstrators. The suit sets the legal groundwork for later court intervention. [1]
Jan 8, 2026 – A woman is fatally shot inside her car, an incident that fuels public outrage and intensifies protests against federal immigration enforcement in the city. The killing becomes a flashpoint for calls to curb aggressive police tactics. [2]
Jan 15, 2026 – Federal ICE agents point rifles at demonstrators, deploy chemical irritants, and smash vehicle windows while pulling occupants from cars during Minneapolis protests, prompting the ACLU of Minnesota to seek an emergency injunction. Criminology professor Ed Maguire condemns the practice as “horrifying,” warning that ICE officers lack the crowd‑management training standard for local police. [2]
Jan 17, 2026 – U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez issues an 83‑page order that bars ICE from arresting or using pepper spray on peaceful protesters, and requires reasonable suspicion before stopping vehicles, thereby protecting demonstrators and observers. A White House spokesperson calls the ruling “absurd,” arguing that federal agents acted lawfully to protect operations. [1]
Jan 18, 2026 – The Department of Homeland Security places 1,500 active‑duty soldiers on standby in Alaska and puts the Minnesota National Guard on alert ahead of weekend demonstrations and a counter‑protest by a conservative influencer. The Justice Department launches a probe into Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey over alleged attempts to impede ICE, prompting Walz to denounce the investigation as “authoritarian” and an example of the administration weaponizing the justice system. [1]