Court bars ICE from retaliating, pepper spraying peaceful protesters in Minnesota

A United States federal judge has barred federal agents from using pepper spray, harassing, detaining and retaliating against peaceful protesters in Minnesota.

Protests have escalated since an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed a woman, Renee Nicole Good, while she was in her car. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has also called for the ICE to “get the fu*k out of our city”.

The preliminary judgement by the U.S. District Court in Minnesota Judge Katherine Menendez applies to all federal agents and officers participating in the Operation Metro Surge.

Operation Metro Surge is a controversial immigration crackdown, started by the Trump administration in December 2025, with the purpose to apprehend criminal and illegal migrants and deport them. 

It began in the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and later expanded to all of Minnesota.

The recent protests started after an ICE agent killed Renee Good and Department of Homeland Security Head Kristi Noem labelled the victim a “domestic terrorist”.

Another shooting incident occurred earlier this week when a Venezuelan migrant was shot in his leg.

The ruling announced on Friday, January 16, 2021, now prohibits federal agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters and people observing the activities of Operation Metro Surge.

The court also barred federal agents from stopping vehicles absent reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or obstruction.

This judgement is passed in a case filed on December 17, 2025, on behalf of protestors who said their constitutional rights were violated by federal agents.