Judge to weigh extending protections for refugees in Minnesota

A federal judge will hear arguments on whether to extend a Minnesota order that blocks arrests and deportations of lawfully admitted refugees; the temporary restraining order expires Feb. 25.

A federal judge will hear arguments this week on whether to extend an order that shields lawfully admitted refugees in Minnesota from arrest and deportation. The order was issued on Jan. 28 after refugee rights groups sued the federal government over enforcement actions tied to Operation PARRIS. That initiative, launched in mid-December, was described by federal agencies as a review of roughly 5,600 Minnesota refugees who had not yet received permanent residency. Plaintiffs allege some refugees were arrested and detained without access to attorneys. Key facts: - The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services launched Operation PARRIS in mid-December to reexamine about 5,600 Minnesota refugees. - Refugee rights groups filed a lawsuit in January alleging arrests and detention of refugees without access to attorneys. - U.S. District Judge John Tunheim issued a temporary restraining order on Jan. 28 that blocks further arrests under the operation in Minnesota and ordered detainees still in custody to be released. - The temporary restraining order applies only in Minnesota and will expire Feb. 25 unless the judge grants a preliminary injunction; a hearing is scheduled this week to review that request. Summary: The judge's order has paused the targeted enforcement actions in Minnesota and directed the release of those detained under the operation. The court will decide at the upcoming hearing whether to extend that protection; outcome is undetermined at this time.