A US judge has blocked the Trump administration from arresting and detaining Somali refugees living legally in Minnesota, following weeks of panic and shocking detentions that had left families terrified.
On Wednesday, January 28, Judge John R. Tunheim ordered the immediate release of all detained refugees and called for an end to the controversial operation that had seen more than 100 individuals removed from their homes. Some of those arrested... Continue reading...
had even been flown to detention centers in Texas, sparking outrage among human rights advocates.
The crackdown, dubbed “Operation Parris,” was described by government officials as a “re-vetting” of refugees. In practice, it subjected individuals who had already been cleared to live legally in the United States to a new round of background checks, causing fear and confusion across refugee communities.
Many of those affected were Somali refugees who had fled war and persecution, now living peaceful lives in Minnesota. But in recent weeks, families were thrown into chaos as plainclothes officers arrived at their homes, often posing as neighbors before making arrests.
One victim recounted how he was tricked into stepping outside after a man claimed he had hit his car. “When I went to check, armed men surrounded me,” he said. “I fled my country to escape government repression. I can’t believe it’s happening again here.” His wife, fearing a repeat arrest, reportedly avoided returning home, seeking refuge at friends’ houses.
Lawyers said some detainees were transported thousands of kilometers to Texas, only to be released with no money, no identification, and no guidance on how to return home.
Judge Tunheim emphasized the human cost of the operation, citing the “stories of terror and trauma” endured by the refugees. He described the government’s actions as causing irreparable harm, and noted that the court could not ignore the humanitarian implications of forcibly detaining legal residents.
The ruling follows the tragic death of Alex Pretti, who reportedly collapsed on the street while federal officers were enforcing immigration policies against Somali residents.
Human rights groups hailed the court’s decision as a victory for justice and human dignity, highlighting the hundreds of habeas petitions filed to challenge individual detentions. The ruling is expected to halt similar operations nationwide and restore a measure of safety and certainty to Somali refugee communities living in Minnesota.
