A federal appeals court on Monday issued an indefinite stay of a lower-court order that had limited how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers handle protesters in Minnesota, giving the Trump administration a legal victory amid ongoing demonstrations across Minneapolis.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez’s Jan. 16 injunction, which had barred federal officers from arresting, detaining or using pepper spray against individuals described as participating in “peaceful and unobstructive protest activity.”
The injunction also restricted vehicle stops unless officers had reason to believe drivers were obstructing immigration enforcement.
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the decision on X, writing, “Liberal judges tried to handcuff our federal law enforcement officers, restrict their actions, and put their safety at risk when responding to violent agitators. The DOJ went to court. We got a temporary stay. NOW, the 8th Circuit has fully agreed that this reckless attempt to undermine law enforcement cannot stand.”
She noted that the indefinite stay will remain while the government pursues its appeal.
The appeals court, in an unsigned opinion, said Menendez’s injunction was unlikely to withstand an appeal.
Judges criticized the order as overly broad and vague, noting it extended protections to a large, uncertified group of protesters and observers—a type of universal relief the Supreme Court has recently restricted, according to The Washington Examiner.
Court filings referenced video evidence showing a mix of peaceful and confrontational behavior among protesters and bystanders.
Officials cautioned that unclear limitations, including restrictions on pepper spray and other nonlethal crowd-control tools, could leave officers uncertain about appropriate responses and expose them to contempt penalties in fast-moving protest situations.
Minneapolis has seen heightened demonstrations following two fatal encounters involving federal officers.
On Jan. 7, Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent, and on Saturday, Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, was killed during another enforcement operation.
These incidents brought additional scrutiny to “Operation Metro Surge,” and late-January protests drew tens of thousands, prompting temporary business closures and a labor-organized general strike.
Minnesota leaders and civil liberties advocates have criticized the federal enforcement actions and the initial injunction, arguing they raise constitutional concerns and exacerbate tensions—even as appellate judges said staying the restrictions protects federal officers’ ability to carry out lawful duties.
The lawsuit that led to Menendez’s injunction was filed by six individuals alleging violations of their First and Fourth Amendment rights.
Plaintiffs said officers boxed in a civilian vehicle and pointed a rifle inside, seeking protections for anyone observing, recording, or protesting ICE activity in Minnesota.
President Trump has reinforced federal resources, placing roughly 1,500 troops on standby and warning he could invoke the Insurrection Act if unrest continues.
He said conversations with Gov. Tim Walz (D) suggested agreement on public safety priorities.
In a partial dissent, Circuit Judge Raymond Gruender said he would have retained the restriction on pepper spray, describing it as a clear and enforceable limitation rather than a vague mandate.
The appeals court’s indefinite stay remains in effect as the government pursues its appeal, leaving open questions about how federal officers may interact with protesters during immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.
