US court lets ICE use force, pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minnesota

A federal appeals court has temporarily removed restrictions that limited how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents could operate during protests in Minnesota, handing a short-term win to the Trump administration.

On Wednesday, the eighth US circuit court of appeals granted the justice department’s request to pause a preliminary injunction issued last week by US district judge Katherine Menendez. The injunction had sharply curbed ICE’s authority during protests, particularly those deemed peaceful.

What the judge’s order had barred

Judge Menendez’s ruling would have stopped ICE agents from arresting or detaining people involved in peaceful protests or taking actions seen as retaliatory. It also restricted the use of pepper spray and other non-lethal crowd-control tools and prohibited agents from stopping or detaining drivers without reasonable cause.

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In issuing the injunction, Menendez said the conduct of federal immigration agents had a “chilling effect” on protesters’ first amendment rights, arguing that their presence and tactics risked discouraging lawful dissent.

DHS defends ICE tactics

The homeland security department pushed back strongly after the injunction was issued. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended ICE’s approach, saying the agency was acting within constitutional boundaries.

“DHS is taking appropriate and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers and the public from dangerous rioters,” she said, as cited by the Guardian.

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With the appeals court now stepping in, those restrictions are on hold while the legal fight continues.

Vance visit adds political weight

The ruling comes just ahead of Vice-President JD Vance’s planned visit to Minneapolis on Thursday. The White House said Vance will meet local leaders and community members and deliver remarks centered on “restoring law and order in Minneapolis,” adding further political attention to an already heated situation.

ICE activity in Minnesota has faced growing backlash in recent weeks, particularly after the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by a federal agent. Her death led to large protests across the state and nationwide.

DHS has maintained that ICE agents acted lawfully and used force only in self-defense when they perceived threats.

Minnesota’s political leadership strongly disputes that account. Governor Tim Walz and other officials have denounced the deployment of thousands of federal agents as an unconstitutional “federal invasion,” accusing the administration of spreading fear and trampling civil liberties.

The conflict has escalated further, with the justice department subpoenaing several prominent Minnesota Democrats, including Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, alleging they conspired to obstruct ICE operations.