The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota, along with Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna S. Witt, over sanctuary policies that allegedly shield criminal illegal aliens from federal authorities. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the suit Monday, emphasizing that these policies hinder federal efforts to identify and remove dangerous individuals from communities.
According to the DOJ, Minnesota’s refusal to cooperate with federal law enforcement has led to the release of illegal aliens convicted of serious offenses, including aggravated assault, burglary, and drug and human trafficking. The department argues that these actions jeopardize public safety and undermine the rule of law.
Bondi stated that the DOJ will continue to pursue litigation against jurisdictions that use sanctuary policies to defy federal law, describing such practices as having “dangerous consequences” for citizens. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Civil Division added that the department is committed to holding sanctuary jurisdictions fully accountable for violating federal law.
