Justice Department Investigates Minnesota Officials Over Migrant Raids

US Department of Justice Launches Investigation into Minnesota Officials

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into allegations that Minnesota state officials conspired to obstruct federal immigration agents from carrying out their duties. The probe is part of a broader dispute between the state and the administration of President Donald Trump over immigration raids in Minnesota.

Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are among the state officials under investigation. The DOJ will review whether Minnesota state officials prevented federal immigration officers from carrying out their duties.

The investigation follows a lawsuit filed by the state against the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Attorney General Ellison stated that his office had received a subpoena for records related to its work with respect to federal immigration enforcement. He described the move as “highly irregular” given the timing.

The investigation is the latest development in an escalating conflict between Minnesota officials and the Trump administration over immigration raids, including the operation where an ICE agent shot dead Renee Good, a US citizen. The Department of Homeland Security launched a large-scale immigration operation to deploy thousands of ICE and CBP officers to Minneapolis and St Paul in December.

The investigation will be reviewed by a grand jury on February 3, which will assess whether there is probable cause to proceed with the lawsuit.

Source: Al Jazeera