Federal judge rules ICE officers in Minneapolis cannot detain or tear gas peaceful protesters

A federal judge in Minnesota ruled Friday that federal agents in Minneapolis cannot arrest or use tear gas on peaceful protesters who are demonstrating against immigration enforcement operations. 

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez barred Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from arresting or pepper spraying protesters for simply observing or criticizing the federal government's actions, the Associated Press reported.

The ruling comes after six protesters sued the administration last month for allegedly arresting, pepper-spraying or threatening them while they were legally and peacefully observing ICE operations. 

The federal government argued the agents were dealing with "threats and violence" that went beyond protected speech, but the judge said the government failed to provide first-hand accounts or evidence to back up its claims.

The state of Minnesota has also sued the Trump administration over the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, arguing the operations amount to a "federal invasion of the Twin Cities." But no ruling in that case has come down so far.

Tensions in Minnesota have increased recently over shootings involving federal immigration officers. One ICE agent fatally shot a woman last week who allegedly rammed the agent with her car. Minnesota officials argue that the shooting was unjustified, while federal officials counter that the agent acted in self-defense.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.