Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Minnesota Sanctuary Policies

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Eric C. Tostrud dismissed a federal lawsuit filed by the United States Department of Justice that sought to dismantle sanctuary-style immigration policies across Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Hennepin County. The Trump administration had argued that these policies—which restrict information sharing, limit local law enforcement cooperation, and refuse to honor immigration detainers—violated the Constitution's supremacy clause and the intergovernmental immunity doctrine.

In a 56-page ruling issued July 21, 2026, Tostrud ruled that forcing state and local authorities to enforce federal immigration laws would violate the Tenth Amendment's anticommandeering doctrine. He stated that federal laws cannot transform state governments into regional offices of the federal government. While the ruling keeps local restrictions intact, Tostrud clarified that the policies do not forbid federal agencies or their contractors from conducting their own enforcement actions.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison praised the decision, stating it reaffirmed that the federal government cannot force states to participate in its immigration-enforcement efforts. The lawsuit was part of a larger Trump administration initiative to block sanctuary policies in more than 20 cities, counties, and states. The ruling ensures that the state's Department of Driver and Vehicle Services continues to restrict data sharing with immigration agencies and that local jurisdictions maintain their separation ordinances.