Judge Compares Modern Immigration Agents to Civil Rights Era Abuses

A federal judge has ruled that U.S. immigration agents in Minnesota systematically violated the constitutional rights of protesters. Legal experts say the conduct recalls tactics used against civil rights activists in the 1960s. The ruling came last week in a case about the 2020 protests in Minneapolis. Judge Kate Menendez found that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) targeted non-violent demonstrators. Court evidence showed a pattern of misconduct. Agents, often in unmarked vehicles, detained protesters without stating a reason. They used excessive force and conducted searches without legal justification. The judge wrote that these actions showed a "staggering" abuse of power. She stated the agents' goal appeared to be to frighten and suppress people exercising their First Amendment rights. The ruling orders several reforms. ICE and CBP must now clearly identify themselves during policing operations. They must also document all arrests and use of force in Minnesota. A formal policy against suppressing free speech is required. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees both agencies, has not commented on the ruling. It can appeal the decision.