Minnesota Sues Trump Administration Over ICE Killings Evidence

Minnesota state and county officials filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on March 24, 2026, alleging that federal authorities have improperly blocked access to evidence needed to investigate shootings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The legal action was initiated by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, and Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The plaintiffs claim the federal government reneged on initial pledges to cooperate with state-led investigations into three specific incidents that occurred during a federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.

The lawsuit centers on the deaths of U.S. Citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as the non-fatal shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan man. According to court records, the incidents took place following the Trump administration’s implementation of Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota.

Legal Arguments and State Sovereignty

In the filing, Minnesota officials argue that the federal government’s refusal to share evidence interferes with the state’s fundamental legal obligations. The lawsuit asserts that the state possesses the authority and responsibility to address violence within its own borders, specifically regarding the prosecution of assaults, attempted homicides, and homicides.

The State of Minnesota has the authority and responsibility to protect against and address violence within its borders, including by prosecuting homicides, attempted homicides, and assaults. That responsibility rests primarily with Minnesota’s law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities — in this case, Plaintiffs — who must gather the evidence, evaluate the facts, and decide whether Minnesota criminal law was violated

Lawsuit filed by Minnesota officials

The plaintiffs further contend that the ability to conduct thorough investigations based on all relevant evidence is a core attribute of state sovereignty and a duty owed to the residents of Minnesota.

The lawsuit provides a chronological account of what the plaintiffs describe as deliberate efforts by the federal government to prevent state officials from accessing evidence related to the three shootings.

Details of the Shootings

The incidents occurred during the Operation Metro Surge crackdown. In the case of Alex Pretti, court documents specify that he was shot by officers from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who were deployed to provide support for the ICE operation.

The lawsuit also seeks evidence regarding the killing of Renee Good and the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis. State officials maintain that without the evidence currently held by the federal government, they cannot independently probe the circumstances surrounding these events or determine if state criminal laws were violated.

Federal Response and Judicial Rulings

The federal government’s handling of the cases has been inconsistent, according to available records. In January 2026, the Justice Department announced it was opening a federal civil rights investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti. However, officials noted that a similar federal probe had not been initiated for other related incidents.

Recent judicial intervention has provided some relief for the state’s efforts. A judge has ordered the federal government to turn over evidence related to the killing of Renee Good within a three-week timeframe.

The legal battle follows months of frustration from state officials over the lack of transparency and the perceived elusive nature of federal probes into the ICE-involved shootings in Minneapolis.