Judge limits actions of agents in Minnesota (USA)

 

MINNESOTA, United States, Jan. 17 (EUROPA PRESS) – Federal Judge Katherine Menendez of Minnesota issued an order Friday limiting the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the state, prohibiting the detention and use of tear gas against protesters participating peacefully in the demonstrations that erupted in Minnesota following the death of a woman shot by an ICE agent.

“Federal agents are prohibited from (…): Retaliating against individuals participating in peaceful and non-obstructive protests, including observing the activities of Operation Metro Surge,” the judge’s order states.

The judge also ruled that ICE agents cannot stop vehicles to arrest drivers or passengers when “there is no reasonable and articulated suspicion that they are obstructing or forcibly interfering with federal agents.”

The order will remain in effect for as long as Operation Metro Surge, launched last month in Minnesota as part of the Trump Administration's anti-immigrant policies, continues. Following the death of Renee Good, shot by Officer Jonathan Ross, the operation has sparked widespread public outrage, with thousands taking to the streets to protest police actions.

TWO CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED

The Minneapolis Office of Community Safety reported Friday that two children, including a six-month-old baby, were hospitalized after federal agents deployed tear gas during protests last Wednesday.

"Some witnesses (...) have described disturbing conduct by officers during and after these arrests, including: threatening to arrest and detain them despite knowing they were U.S. citizens; threatening to break the driver's side windows; waiting for witnesses outside their homes; "Follow them to their homes or to an address where their vehicles are registered; and tell the witnesses that you know where they live," the judge said.