Federal Judge Halts Refugee Arrests in Minnesota, Orders Releases

A federal judge has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from arresting and detaining lawfully resettled refugees in Minnesota. The order mandates the immediate release of all detained refugees within Minnesota and the release of those transferred to Texas within five days. This judicial action is part of a class-action lawsuit challenging an initiative known as "Operation PARRIS."

Court Order Details

US District Judge John R. Tunheim issued the TRO as part of a class-action lawsuit. The order temporarily halts the arrest and detention of lawfully resettled refugees in Minnesota. Key provisions of the order include:

• An immediate cessation of arrests and detentions under the specified conditions.
• The immediate release of all individuals currently detained in Minnesota under these circumstances.
• The release of individuals who have been transferred to detention centers in Texas within five days.

The TRO will remain in effect until briefing on a preliminary injunction is completed. The court cited "irreparable harm" as a factor supporting immediate relief in the case.

Background on Detentions and "Operation PARRIS"

The judicial action followed reports of over 100 lawfully resettled refugees being arrested in Minnesota in recent weeks. Some of these individuals were subsequently transported to detention centers in Texas.

Operation PARRIS, which reportedly began on January 9, involves ICE agents arresting members of the Minnesota refugee community. The Department of Homeland Security stated that this initiative involves re-examining thousands of refugee cases through new background checks and verification processes. Approximately 5,600 resettled refugees, who have not yet obtained permanent residency, were stated to be subject to this vetting.

Legal Challenge and Allegations

The class-action lawsuit was filed by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Berger Montague, and the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CHRCL). The Advocates for Human Rights is an organizational plaintiff, providing legal representation to refugees in Minnesota.

The lawsuit alleges that the arrests are intended to terminate refugee status, potentially making the individuals vulnerable to deportation. Attorneys and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the process, noting that refugees undergo extensive vetting before being approved to enter the U.S. Legal representatives indicated that the rapid transfer of detained individuals out of state complicated efforts to provide legal assistance, as most lawfully resettled refugees do not typically have immigration attorneys.

Judicial Reasoning

In his order, Judge Tunheim stated:

"Refugees have a legal right to be in the United States, a right to work, a right to live peacefully—and importantly, a right not to be subjected to the experience of being arrested and detained without warrants or probable cause in their homes or on their way to religious services or to buy groceries."

The order further noted the principle that the United States should serve as a haven of individual liberties.