Minnesota, together with the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, has launched a legal challenge against the Department of Homeland Security. The lawsuit aims to halt what they describe as an “unlawful, unprecedented surge” of federal law enforcement agents in the state, according to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison during a Monday press conference.

“This must come to an end,” declared Ellison, flanked by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. “We argue that Minnesota is being unfairly targeted due to our diversity, democratic values, and differing opinions from the federal government, which we believe constitutes a breach of the Constitution and federal law.”

The lawsuit argues that this influx of agents represents a “federal invasion,” leading to unconstitutional stops and arrests at sensitive areas like schools and hospitals, all under the pretense of lawful immigration enforcement.

“These inadequately trained, aggressive federal officers have instilled fear across Minnesota with their widespread unlawful actions,” Ellison stated at the news briefing.

The complaint contends that the Department of Homeland Security’s actions violate the 10th Amendment and are part of a broader pattern by the Trump administration to target cities governed by Democrats.

The complaint also alleges that the administration is not using targeted enforcement and instead have been “conducting raids at job sites and businesses, detaining and deporting individuals while they perform essential work that directly benefits Plaintiffs’ communities.”

“DHS agents also appear to be conducting general sweeps and detaining people within their path based on their race and ethnicity,” the complaint said.

The complaint also alleges that businesses and schools in Minneapolis have been hurt by the federal surge, and the state claims DHS violated state law by staging immigration enforcement operations on state property.

The lawsuit asks a judge to preliminarily bar DHS from arresting individuals unless there’s “probably cause” to believe they have committed a crime. The suit also asks to prevent DHS from threatening physical force and brandishing weapons.

Notably, the lawsuit aims to prevent federal agents from “pointing firearms at individuals who are not posing an immediate threat of death or seriously bodily injury to another person.”