Minnesota churches roiled by legal battle over ICE surveillance and right to protest
Faith groups say undercover agents monitored a Minneapolis church four times, while more than three dozen protesters face civil rights charges in a separate worship disruption case.
- Minnesota courts are currently weighing two distinct cases involving churches and immigration enforcement, highlighting ongoing tension between faith communities and federal authorities more than six months after a surge in operations.
- Court documents revealed that Homeland Security agents conducted undercover surveillance operations four times at University Baptist Church in Minneapolis, allegedly targeting groups leading anti-enforcement protests earlier this year.
- More than three dozen protesters are seeking dismissal of charges after they disrupted worship at Cities Church in St. Paul, where one pastor also served as an ICE official.
- Faith groups including the Alliance of Baptists have asked a federal judge to rule whether Homeland Security violated an injunction against enforcement, and to disclose if other houses of worship were surveyed.
- Churches across the Twin Cities report lingering weariness and fear, as many faith leaders continue balancing community advocacy with increased security measures following the winter immigration surge.
59 Articles
59 Articles
Minnesota Churches Fight ICE Surveillance as Protest Cases Head to Court
Minneapolis, Minnesota — Minnesota churches are at the center of two separate federal legal battles over immigration enforcement, surveillance and protest rights months after the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge triggered widespread demonstrations. In one case, faith groups are asking a federal judge to determine whether Homeland Security violated an injunction protecting houses of worship when agents conducted undercover surveillanc…
Associated Press News
Minnesota churches roiled by legal battle over ICE surveillance and right to protest
Court cases involving Twin Cities churches and immigration enforcement highlight how the acrimonious debate continues to roil faith communities more than six months since the federal surge in Minnesota.
Court cases involving churches in the Twin Cities and immigration repression highlight how the sour debate continues to shake faith communities in the United States, more than six months after the federal operation turned Minnesota into a symbol of defiance of the policies of President Donald Trump's government.
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