The Trump administration’s Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota, targeting the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Hennepin County over their sanctuary policies — claiming they refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

This lawsuit is nothing more than political retaliation aimed at punishing states and cities that stand up for immigrant communities.

Sanctuary policies are not about shielding “dangerous criminals” — they’re about building trust between local law enforcement and the communities they serve. Studies show that these policies make neighborhoods safer, not more dangerous, by encouraging cooperation without fear of deportation.

Minnesota officials, including Attorney General Keith Ellison, Mayor Jacob Frey, and Mayor Melvin Carter, have rightly called this lawsuit baseless and unconstitutional. Their cities have successfully defended sanctuary policies in court before — and they’re ready to do it again.

But they shouldn’t have to.

We, the undersigned, call on:

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division
President Donald Trump

to immediately drop the lawsuit against Minnesota and:

• Respect the right of states and cities to set local law enforcement policies
• End the politically motivated legal attacks on sanctuary jurisdictions
• Focus on real threats — not fearmongering about immigrants
   

America’s strength lies in its diversity — and in the freedom of local communities to protect their residents. These lawsuits do nothing but waste taxpayer dollars and divide our country.

Tell the Justice Department: Drop the case.

Let Minnesota protect its immigrant neighbors in peace.