Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting Minnesota’s lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to the Minneapolis and Saint Paul area, where more than 3,000 federal agents were sent over several weeks.
The coalition’s brief urges the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota to stop what it describes as unlawful actions by federal authorities that have harmed residents and disregarded constitutional principles.
“The violence being brought upon people of Minnesota by federal CBP and ICE agents is the result of the president’s obsession with forcing states to comply with his policies and seeking retribution against his political enemies,” Raoul said. “I will stand with Minnesota and other attorneys general to fight back against unlawful attacks on any state’s sovereignty and in defense of our Constitution and the rule of law.”
Federal operations began escalating in December 2025, including “Operation Metro Surge,” which ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons called the agency’s largest immigration operation ever. Public reports indicate that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem deployed up to 3,000 immigration officers, including 2,000 from ICE, hundreds from Border Patrol, and others from Justice Department agencies. President Trump also threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, with reports suggesting possible Pentagon plans to send additional troops.
Local law enforcement was required to divert resources due to unrest linked to these deployments. Since Minnesota filed its lawsuit, incidents involving ICE agents have increased: one resident was fatally shot; another person was shot in the leg; a tear gas canister exploded under a car carrying a family—resulting in a six-month-old losing consciousness; shopping centers lost significant business revenue; schools closed temporarily affecting tens of thousands of children; and families reported fears about attending public spaces or appointments.
The attorneys general argue that a temporary restraining order is needed to protect public safety from aggressive enforcement tactics that threaten powers reserved for states under the Constitution.
This action follows a separate lawsuit filed by Raoul on January 12 against DHS and Trump administration officials regarding similar tactics used by CBP and ICE agents in Illinois. That suit details attempts by federal officials to coerce Illinois through withholding funds and deploying National Guard units without consent.
Joining Attorney General Raoul are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
As Illinois’ primary legal officer responsible for upholding laws statewide—including advocacy for vulnerable groups such as immigrants—the office provides resources on consumer protection issues like identity theft while working with law enforcement partners across Chicago and other offices. The attorney general’s responsibilities include promoting safer communities through legal representation for residents statewide and supporting victims through complaint services related to civil rights violations or fraud.
