In a significant legal development, a US federal judge in Minneapolis has issued a temporary order to halt the Trump administration's policy of detaining refugees in Minnesota who are awaiting permanent resident status. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, mandates the immediate release of those currently held under this controversial program.
Judge Tunheim's Order and Its Implications
US District Judge John Tunheim emphasized in his order that while the Trump administration retains the authority to enforce immigration laws and review the status of refugees, it must do so without resorting to arrests and detentions. He underscored the legal rights of refugees, stating that they have the right to reside, work, and live peacefully in the United States, free from the fear of unwarranted detention.
"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 terror of being arrested and detained without warrants or cause in their homes or on their way to religious services or to buy groceries," Tunheim wrote. He added that America's role as a haven for individual liberties is compromised when such practices instill fear and chaos among residents.
Operation PARRIS and Refugee Status Review
The detention program, known as Operation PARRIS, was initiated this month to re-examine the legal status of approximately 5,600 refugees in Minnesota who have not yet received green cards. Tunheim noted that these individuals have undergone extensive background checks, vetting by multiple federal agencies, and have been resettled in the US with government support. His order requires any refugee detained under this operation to be released from custody immediately.
Political Backlash and White House Response
The ruling quickly drew criticism from the White House, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump's hardline immigration policies, condemning it as judicial overreach. Miller took to social media platform X to express his disapproval, labeling the decision as part of an ongoing "judicial sabotage of democracy."
Additional Legal Scrutiny on ICE
In a related development, another federal judge in Minnesota issued a separate order on Wednesday, criticizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for non-compliance with court directives. The judge highlighted that ICE "has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence," following issues with a detainee's bond hearing. Although acting ICE head Todd Lyons was initially summoned, the hearing was cancelled after the detainee's release.
This legal action comes amid broader tensions over immigration enforcement in Minnesota, a Democratic state where Trump has deployed thousands of federal agents, sparking public outrage over recent incidents involving officer conduct.
