Federal Judge Denies Minnesota's Request to Halt ICE Operations

This Saturday, Federal Judge Katherine Menéndez turned down Minnesota's bid to immediately stop the Metro Surge Operation, which is being conducted by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state.

The court ruling, according to FOX, states that the plaintiffs "have not met their burden" of the "extraordinary remedy" required for a preliminary injunction, referring to the legal prerequisites necessary to halt a federal law enforcement operation at this stage of the case.

The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul had filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claiming a federal overreach and sought a preliminary injunction from the court to cease the operation.

Judge Menéndez rejected the request, citing the absence of the high legal standard needed for such an extraordinary decision in the lawsuit.

Last Wednesday, federal agents involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, were placed on administrative leave as the investigation into the case continues. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described this action as part of the regular protocol following a shooting.

The victim was identified as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse. Reports indicate that he died after being shot at close range during a struggle with federal agents.

The Border Patrol agents involved in Pretti's death were placed on administrative leave, following standard procedure.

It was also noted that the measure includes two agents who fired during the incident. The revised document states that it is unclear if other federal agents present at the scene—up to eight can be seen in videos—were also sent on leave.

A report submitted to Congress, cited by CNN and CBS, mentions that during the struggle, an agent shouted "He has a gun!" and about five seconds later, a Border Patrol agent fired his Glock 19, while another agent from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) fired a Glock 47.

The report does not specify whether the shots from both agents hit Pretti while he was on the ground, according to the same text.

The document also notes that after the shooting, an agent reported having possession of Pretti's firearm, and it adds that witness videos show the weapon was removed from his waistband before the shots were fired, although the federal government initially claimed Pretti approached the agents armed.

In a related incident, Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who shot Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7, was also placed on administrative leave while that incident is investigated.

On January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Renee Nicole Good, another 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was shot and killed by an ICE agent during a federal operation in the city.

Good was a mother of three who had recently resided in Minneapolis, and according to reports, she was acting as a legal observer during a heightened ICE presence in the area under the so-called "Operation Metro Surge."

The incident occurred in the morning when ICE was conducting an operation on a Minneapolis street.

Official reports and journalistic analysis indicate that Good was inside her vehicle (an SUV) when the confrontation happened.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the involved agent, Jonathan Ross, fired after claiming that Good attempted to use her vehicle against him or approached with a weapon (a self-defense claim).

Public testimonies and video analysis released later presented contradictory details, including that Good's SUV moved in the opposite direction or barely turned before shots were fired.

Good was shot multiple times—according to autopsy reports and incident records, she had bullets in various parts of her body, including the head—and died on the spot or shortly afterward at a hospital.

Good's death sparked protests and outrage in Minneapolis and other cities, leading to calls for a review of ICE's tactics and role in law enforcement operations.