Trump faces flurry of immigration losses in Minnesota lower courts despite appeals court win

Published February 1, 2026 7:00am ET



The Trump administration‘s Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota has led to thousands of illegal immigrants being arrested, but various lawsuits over those detentions have flooded the federal district court in the state.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota handles cases, including habeas corpus cases challenging law enforcement’s reasons for their detention, filed by illegal immigrants swept up in the federal immigration operations in the North Star State. Those challenges have been largely successful despite the federal law that Congress passed to keep district courts out of the removal process.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.