Mayor Lucas Joins Coalition of U.S Mayors Challenging Unconstitutional Immigration Enforcement Operations

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Mayor Quinton Lucas joined dozens of mayors and local government leaders from across the United States in filing an amicus brief in federal district court in Minneapolis, supporting the State of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in their challenge to the Trump Administration's unconstitutional deployment of thousands of masked and armed federal agents to the Twin Cities.

The brief argues that "Operation Metro Surge" violates the Constitution by trying to force state and local governments to help with federal immigration enforcement - something courts have repeatedly said the federal government cannot do.

"Local governments across America have successfully balanced public safety, resource management, and residents' civil liberties for decades," said Mayor Lucas. "What we're seeing in Minneapolis represents a dangerous overreach of federal authority that threatens not just constitutional principles, but the safety and wellbeing of residents in cities nationwide."

The coalition of amici cities describes how similar federal operations have harmed communities nationwide, including:

The brief points out that approximately 3,000 federal agents have been deployed to the Twin Cities - five times more than the entire Minneapolis police force. This represents what the brief calls a quasi-military occupation meant to punish Minnesota for disagreeing with federal policy, rather than addressing any real public safety need.

"The deployment of these ICE agents isn't about immigration enforcement," Mayor Lucas said. "It's about the Trump Administration trying to force state and local governments to do what the federal government wants. That's against the Constitution, and it puts our residents in danger."

The brief was filed in support of Minnesota's request for a court order to stop the operation in State of Minnesota v. Noem in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. The full list of mayors, cities, and counties who joined the brief is below.

Local Governments and Mayors :

###