Big Win for ICE and Federal Enforcement: Judge Rejects Minnesota's Bid to Block Operation Metro Surge, 10th Amendment Claims Fail

In a major victory for the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, U.S. District Judge Katherine M. Menendez denied Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul's request for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction to halt Operation Metro Surge. The ruling, issued January 31, 2026, clears the path for approximately 3,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents—including ICE and CBP—to continue targeting criminal undocumented immigrants, such as MS-13 gang members and drug traffickers, without immediate court interference.

Judge Menendez, a Biden appointee, ruled that the plaintiffs "have not met the burden" to demonstrate a likely violation of the 10th Amendment's state sovereignty protections. She emphasized that granting the injunction would cause "irreparable harm to the government" by obstructing valid federal law enforcement. The decision prioritizes the federal government's authority to enforce immigration laws over state objections rooted in sanctuary policies.

Operation Metro Surge, launched in December 2025, has focused on "the worst of the worst"—individuals with serious criminal histories. DHS has claimed thousands of arrests nationwide under the operation, though local officials dispute the exact figures and scope in Minnesota. Supporters argue the surge is essential for public safety in areas where local cooperation is limited.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS officials have framed such enforcement as critical to upholding the rule of law, countering sanctuary jurisdictions that critics say shield criminals. This ruling aligns with that stance, rejecting claims that the deployment amounts to unconstitutional "occupation" or coercion via policy demands (like those in Bondi's January letter to Gov. Tim Walz urging cooperation on voter rolls, SNAP data, and sanctuary repeal).

While the judge found the state's 10th Amendment arguments insufficient for an emergency halt, she acknowledged the operation's "profound and even heartbreaking consequences." She noted a "strong showing" of potential harms, including racial profiling, excessive force, and community disruption. This balanced language underscores ongoing tensions but did not sway her to block the surge.

A stark example of alleged excessive force is the case of visa overstayer Alberto Castañeda Mondragón. Arrested January 8 near a St. Paul shopping center, he suffered severe injuries—including at least eight skull fractures and multiple brain hemorrhages—shortly after. ICE agents claimed he fled while handcuffed and "purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall," but hospital staff and forensic experts questioned the account as inconsistent with the injuries. A separate federal judge ordered his release from custody amid the medical crisis, highlighting scrutiny over tactics during the surge.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison plans to press forward with the full lawsuit, vowing continued challenges. State and local officials maintain the operation endangers residents and oversteps federal bounds, especially amid recent fatal incidents like the shootings of Alex Jeffrey Pretti (January 24) and Renee Nicole Good (January 7), which fueled widespread protests.

For now, though, federal enforcement rolls on. The ruling is a rebuke to sanctuary resistance and a green light for DHS to prioritize criminal removals. As protests persist and the broader case unfolds, this decision reinforces that federal law enforcement prevails when constitutional thresholds aren't clearly crossed.

References/Sources

• New York Times (Jan 31, 2026): "Federal Judge Denies Request to Block ICE Surge in Minnesota" – details on ruling, burden not met, irreparable harm to government.

• POLITICO (Jan 31, 2026): "Judge rejects bid to end Trump administration's immigration-enforcement surge in Minnesota" – quotes on profound consequences but no injunction.

• The Hill (Jan 31, 2026): "Judge refuses Minnesota’s bid to rescind Trump’s ICE surge" – 30-page decision, unlikely success on 10th Amendment.

• Associated Press/ABC News (Jan 31, 2026): Coverage of Alberto Castañeda Mondragón injuries and ICE account disputes.

• Various outlets (e.g., Guardian, NYT hearings Jan 26): Background on operation launch, agent numbers, focus on criminals.