Federal appeals court backs Trump administration, lifts limits on ICE tactics in Minnesota

A federal appeals court sided with the Trump administration on Monday in a ruling blocking restrictions on tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while dealing with anti-ICE agitators in Minnesota.

The ruling by a three-judge U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals panel halted implementation of a lower court ruling that barred officers from arresting, detaining, pepper-spraying or retaliating against protesters in Minneapolis without probable cause as anti-ICE agitators continue to confront law enforcement authorities.

“We had access to and watched the same videos that the district court viewed,” the appeals court said in the ruling. “What it shows is that observers and protesters are engaging in a wide range of behavior, some of it peaceful but much of it not. It also shows federal agents responding in different ways.”

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The lawsuit alleged that federal authorities violated the civil rights of six protesters.

Last week, the court temporarily lifted restrictions on ICE agents’ use of force against protesters in Minnesota. US Attorney Pam Bondi said Monday’s ruling grants a “full stay.”

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“Liberal judges tried to tie the hands of our federal law enforcement officers, restrict their actions, and jeopardize their safety when responding to violent agitators. The Department of Justice went to court. We got a temporary stay. Now, the 8th Circuit has fully agreed that this reckless attempt to undermine law enforcement cannot stand,” she wrote on X.

In a ruling issued on January 16, U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez I sided with the protesters and issued the initial order. The plaintiffs sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE over their treatment during immigration enforcement operations.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers question a man about his situation on Lake Street near Carmel Mall in Minnesota on December 10, 2025. A federal appeals court on Monday blocked a lower court’s ruling regarding a tactic used by federal authorities when dealing with anti-Customs agitators in Minnesota. (Christopher John/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In her ruling, Menendez found that plaintiffs were likely to succeed on claims that federal agents violated their terms. First and Fourth Amendment rights During protests and monitoring ICE activity associated with Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities.

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It cited incidents in which ICE agents allegedly used pepper spray, drew weapons, made arrests and made traffic stops against individuals who were peacefully observing or protesting immigration enforcement.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Sienkiewicz and Greg Weiner contributed to this report.