Minnesota loses bid to block surge of immigration agents

A US judge has denied Minnesota's request to stop the Trump administration’s surge of immigration enforcement agents in the state.

US District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled that it was too early in the lawsuit to determine which side has a stronger case regarding Operation Metro Surge, which has deployed around 3,000 officers in Minnesota.

This decision follows a deadly incident where a US citizen, Alex Pretti, was killed in an incident with federal agents. Local officials criticize the operation as political retaliation that terrorizes residents.

The administration defends the surge as necessary to address illegal immigration and fraud. Minnesota has accused the federal government of overstepping its authority in local law enforcement.