Minnesota launches investigation that could bring charges against federal immigration officers

Minnesota Prosecutor Launches Investigation into Federal Officers’ Conduct During Immigration Crackdown

A potential legal showdown is brewing in Minnesota as Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced an investigation Monday that could lead to criminal charges against federal officers involved in a controversial immigration enforcement operation.

The probe focuses on alleged misconduct during “Operation Metro Surge,” with special attention to Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, who has been identified as a central figure in the crackdown. Moriarty’s office is examining 17 cases, including an incident where Bovino allegedly threw a smoke canister at protesters on January 21.

“Make no mistake, we are not afraid of the legal fight, and we are committed to doing this correctly,” Moriarty declared during a news conference. “Operation Metro Surge caused immeasurable harm to our community.”

Another incident under investigation involves federal officers making an arrest outside a high school on January 7, during which they deployed chemical irritants while students and staff were present.

The Department of Homeland Security quickly pushed back against the investigation, asserting in a statement that immigration enforcement falls exclusively under federal jurisdiction. “What these States are trying to do is unlawful, and they know it,” the agency stated. “Federal officials acting in the course of their duties are immune from liability under state law.”

Bovino has emerged as a controversial figure in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy. He has led aggressive operations not only in Minneapolis-St. Paul but also in Chicago and Los Angeles. During the Chicago operation, federal officers frequently deployed chemical irritants in residential neighborhoods, prompting a judge to initially order Bovino to wear a body camera and appear in court daily—a ruling that was later overturned.

The Minnesota operation took a dark turn when federal officers fatally shot two individuals in separate January incidents: 37-year-old mother Renee Good and 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti. These deaths sparked nationwide demonstrations and intense scrutiny of DHS use-of-force policies, eventually leading to Bovino’s removal from his leadership role in the Minnesota operation.

To strengthen their investigation, Moriarty’s office has created an online portal where witnesses can upload photos, videos, and accounts from any phase of Operation Metro Surge.

Rachel Moran, a criminal law and policing professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, explained that prosecutors may be investigating potential charges like assault or property damage. “These would be situations where the state has to determine: Is there evidence that agents acted unlawfully and outside the scope of their authorized duties?” Moran said. “I think agents did illegal things here. I watched it.”

While federal officers conducted immigration operations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, Moriarty’s jurisdiction limits her investigation to incidents that occurred within Hennepin County, which encompasses Minneapolis and many surrounding suburbs.

Her office is also investigating the deaths of Good and Pretti, with Moriarty expressing confidence in their ability to pursue charges. She has demanded evidence from federal authorities, setting a Tuesday deadline before her office takes legal action to obtain the materials.

“The question is, should we charge in federal court? Do we expect the federal government to obstruct us? I would say they’re already doing that,” Moriarty stated.

The federal response to these incidents has been inconsistent. While the Department of Justice opened a civil rights inquiry into Pretti’s death, it declined to investigate Good’s death on similar grounds. Furthermore, the FBI has reportedly prevented state investigators from accessing evidence in Good’s case.

Mark Osler, who previously served as criminal division director under Moriarty, suggested that regardless of whether charges are ultimately filed, the public should expect greater clarity about what transpired. “One of the most important roles that prosecution has…is truth-telling, is to bring to the surface what actually happened at a given time,” said Osler.

The investigation highlights growing tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement tactics and raises significant questions about accountability, jurisdiction, and the limits of federal power in local communities.