At a Glance
- A federal judge gave the Trump administration until Monday to respond to Minnesota’s request to suspend ICE raids.
- ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good in the head on Jan. 7 as she drove away.
- Over 2,000 arrests have been made in Minnesota since early December.
- Why it matters: The state says the raids violate constitutional rights; military lawyers may soon join the effort.
A federal judge has paused Minnesota’s bid to stop an immigration crackdown, giving the U.S. Justice Department until Monday to defend the surge that has led to chaotic scenes in Minneapolis and the fatal shooting of a local woman.
U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez promised to keep the case “on the front burner” after the state and cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul argued the raids trample free-speech and other constitutional rights. She acknowledged the issues are “grave and important” and lack clear legal precedent.
Fatal shooting sparks unrest
Tensions exploded after ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot Renee Good in the head on Jan. 7 while she drove away from agents near her home. Bystander video shows three officers surrounding her SUV on a snowy street. One grabs the door handle and orders her to exit. As the vehicle moves forward, Ross fires at least three shots at close range.
Good’s Honda Pilot then crashes into other vehicles. She died at the scene.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claims Ross was struck by the SUV and that Good used her vehicle as a weapon. A Homeland Security official, speaking anonymously, told Emily Carter Reynolds that Ross suffered internal bleeding to his torso, but gave no details on severity, diagnosis, or treatment. Video shows Ross walking without obvious difficulty after the shooting.
Chris Madel, Ross’s attorney, declined to comment on the injuries.
State leaders demand accountability
Gov. Tim Walz, in a televised speech Wednesday, called the situation “organized brutality” by the federal government.
> “Let’s be very, very clear, this long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. Instead, it’s a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government,” Walz said.
He added that “accountability” will come through the courts and revealed the administration has denied the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension any role in investigating Good’s death.
State Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter urged the court to “lower the temperature,” arguing residents are being yanked from cars and homes without proper cause.
Military lawyers may join surge
The Pentagon is preparing to send up to 25 military lawyers-judge advocate general officers-to Minneapolis to serve as special assistant U.S. attorneys, according to an email cited by CNN. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked branches to identify 40 JAGs for possible deployment.
Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson reposted the CNN story on X, saying the military “is proud to support” the Justice Department.
The Pentagon last week sent 20 lawyers to Memphis, and the administration has routinely deployed both military and civilian attorneys to support immigration operations.
Mark Nevitt, Emory University law professor and former Navy JAG, warned the moves strip legal support from service members.
> “There are not many JAGs but there are over one million members of the military, and they all need legal support,” Nevitt said.
Arrests mount as protests grow
Homeland Security says it has made more than 2,000 arrests statewide since early December and vows to continue.
Hundreds of St. Paul teenagers walked out of class Wednesday, waving signs reading “Love Melts ICE” and “DE-ICE MN,” and marched to the state Capitol in sub-freezing temperatures.
The University of Minnesota, with 50,000-plus students, warned that some classes may shift online when the new term starts next week. President Rebecca Cunningham cited “violence and protests” on the doorstep of the campus, which borders the city’s main Somali neighborhood.
Family hires George Floyd lawyers
Good’s family retained Romanucci & Blandin, the same firm that secured a $27 million settlement for George Floyd’s family after his 2020 death under Minneapolis police restraint. The firm says Good was following orders to move her car when shot and plans its own public investigation.
> “They do not want her used as a political pawn, but rather as an agent of peace for all,” the firm stated.
Judge Menendez is also handling a separate suit challenging ICE crowd-control tactics against protesters and observers; a ruling could come this week.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota wants the raids halted; DOJ must file by Monday.
- The officer who killed Good claims self-defense; family lawyers dispute it.
- Up to 25 military lawyers could soon join the federal effort.
