Attorney General Ellison supports class-action lawsuit against DHS operation targeting refugees in Minnesota

AG Ellison’s amicus brief alleges DHS’ Operation PARRIS—launched in the midst of Operation Metro Surge—causing widespread harm to Minnesota’s economy, public education, health, and safety, and civic life

February 6, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) —Today, Attorney General Ellison filed an amicus brief in support of a putative class action lawsuit filed by numerous refugees and advocacy organizations challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) unlawful implementation of Operation PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening).

Operation PARRIS, launched during Operation Metro Surge and the flood of roughly 3,000 DHS agents into Minnesota, targets the roughly 5,600 refugees legally admitted to the United States who reside in Minnesota and have not yet been granted green cards. Before being admitted to the United States, refugees are thoroughly vetted and screened by multiple branches of the federal government. Refugees throughout Minnesota are being unlawfully and often violently detained by DHS agents, creating a climate of fear and causing widespread harm throughout the state. Attorney General Ellison’s brief argues that Operation PARRIS harms the sovereign interests of Minnesota and urges the court to grant a preliminary injunction to halt DHS’ unlawful actions.

"Refugees come to Minnesota fleeing some of the worst conditions on the planet, from war to famine to persecution,” said Attorney General Ellison. “As Minnesota has welcomed these refugees, they have not just built lives here, they have done so much to both give back to their communities and contribute to the well-being of our state. The reign of terror and violence that DHS is inflicting on refugees in Minnesota is often painfully reminiscent of the conditions those refugees fled when coming to our state. Today, I’m taking a stand in court against DHS’ lawless actions and for the refugees that are doing so much to make Minnesota a better state."

Impact on Minnesota’s economy

In his brief, Attorney General Ellison points out that Operation PARRIS has had a severe impact on Minnesota’s economy, both by decreasing workforce participation and harming businesses. The culture of fear created by DHS’ actions have caused immigrant workers to stay home, which risks damaging sectors of Minnesota’s economy that disproportionately depend on immigrant workers, in addition to Minnesota’s economy at-large.

A prime example of this is the food and agriculture industry, which generates over $105 billion in annual sales in Minnesota. Approximately 1 in 5 employees in Minnesota’s food manufacturing industry is an immigrant, and worker shortages created by DHS’ actions will likely cause an increase in food prices, making it harder for Minnesotans across the state to afford their lives. The harm to Minnesota’s economy by DHS’ unlawful actions can also be seen in businesses that are either immigrant-run or that serve immigrant communities. These businesses on Lake Street in Minneapolis have seen sales drop by between 80% to 100%, while similar businesses in Saint Paul report a decrease of roughly 60% to 70%.

Impact on public education in Minnesota

Operations PARRIS and Metro Surge have had a profound impact on Minnesota’s education system as well. In his brief, Attorney General Ellison notes that, during the height of DHS activity, Rochester Public Schools saw excused absences increase by 81%. Among students whose first language is not English, that increase was a staggering 417%. 

Rochester is far from alone in this respect. For example, 560 students at Willmar Public Schools were absent on December 15, 2026, following rumors of DHS operations in the area, and more than one-third of Fridley Public School students were absent the day after Renee Good was killed by DHS agents in Minneapolis. These unlawful actions by DHS agents have interfered severely with Minnesota’s ability to provide a “general and uniform system of public schools” as required by Article XIII, Section 1 of the Minnesota Constitution.

Impact on public health in Minnesota

Additionally, Attorney General Ellison’s brief points out the harm to public health in Minnesota caused by DHS’ actions. Refugees are now far more hesitant to seek medical care due to fear of detention, denying doctors the ability to treat illnesses and administer vaccines, which jeopardizes the well-being of all Minnesotans.   

Furthermore, the climate of fear created by DHS’ indiscriminate, violent, and warrantless raids risks driving up healthcare costs throughout Minnesota because, when care is delayed, conditions can worsen and emergencies become more frequent. As DHS itself has noted, “increased use of emergency rooms and emergent care as a method of primary healthcare due to delayed treatment is possible and there is a potential for increases in uncompensated care in which a treatment or service is not paid for by an insurer or patient.” The costs of uncompensated emergency care will then be borne by Minnesotans generally.

Impact on public safety and civic life

DHS’ lawless behavior is also harming public safety in Minnesota by forcing local police to divert significant resources to DHS-related 911 calls. The violent actions of masked and unidentified DHS agents also damage trust between local law enforcement and the communities they serve, which in turn makes it more difficult to secure community cooperation during criminal investigations conducted by local law enforcement.

Finally, Attorney General Ellison’s brief argues that civic life in Minnesota is harmed due to Operation PARRIS. Throughout Minnesota, Operation PARRIS and DHS’s unlawful policy and practice of detaining refugees is causing numerous immigrants and refugees not to leave their homes altogether, making it impossible for them to do everything from purchase groceries to attend religious services.