Judge limits ICE crowd control tactics against protesters in Minnesota

Published January 16, 2026 11:08pm ET



A judge limited the crowd-control tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers against protesters in the Twin Cities.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled Friday evening that ICE officers couldn’t arrest or pepper-spray protesters if they weren’t directly engaging in violence. She also ruled that the stalking of ICE vehicles and agents couldn’t warrant a response, nor could crowds forming around officers during operations.

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