Federal Judge Curbs Ice Actions Against Peaceful Protesters In Minnesota

 WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (Bernama-dpa) -- A US federal court has imposed strict limits on how the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency may interact with non-violent protesters in the state of Minnesota amid ongoing confrontations between ICE officers and demonstrators, the German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

According to a Friday ruling by Minnesota District Judge Katherine Menendez, ICE officers may not detain or arrest individuals "engaged in peaceful, unobstructive protest activity", nor may they use pepper spray, tear gas or similar non-lethal force against such protesters or bystanders.

Federal officers may only stop or check vehicles in the vicinity of demonstrations if there is concrete suspicion that they are obstructing their operations; blanket checks are not permitted.

Menendez referred to reports of aggressive behaviour by ICE forces, whereby constitutionally guaranteed rights may have been violated.

The judgement comes amid ongoing protests in the Minneapolis region against ICE operations, which have drawn international attention following the fatal shooting of US citizen Renee Good by an ICE officer last week.

The Department of Homeland Security has rejected allegations of misconduct by its officers, saying  they acted lawfully, in line with the Constitution. 

In a post on X on Friday it said that force is only used when necessary to protect themselves and the public.

The court's order applies for the duration of the increased federal deployment in Minnesota. 

Menendez had previously denied an emergency request for a complete halt to ICE operations. 

President Donald Trump recently threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act - a rare move that would allow the deployment of US troops for domestic law enforcement - but has not yet taken this step. 

-- BERNAMA-dpa