ACLU-MN, Pro Bono Partners Sue to Protect Protesters, Observers and Journalists from Illegal Activity by ICE

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn – On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the ACLU of Minnesota, Ciresi Conlin, Forsgren Fisher, and Riach Law filed a lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement on behalf of six community members whose constitutional rights were violated by ICE and other federal agents.

In recent months, the Trump Administration has increased its deployment of federal forces—including ICE, CBP, and other Department of Homeland Security agents—to cities across the U.S. to supposedly deter crime and enforce immigration laws. However, federal agents have instead engaged in a series of indiscriminate immigration raids in which masked federal officers in militarized gear brandish rifles and abduct community members from local businesses, streets, and homes.

In response to these unlawful attacks on their neighbors, community members showed up to observe and protest. In a blatant effort to interfere with people’s exercise of free speech and the right to peaceably assemble and express disagreement with the government, federal agents countered with harassment, intimidation, force, and detention.

In Minnesota, ICE and other federal agents have followed peaceful protestors to their homes, used chemical irritants and rubber bullets on them, and have even arrested people for standing on the public sidewalk and observing them. This lawsuit asks the court – on behalf of these ordinary people who have come together courageously to stand up for the rights of all Americans – to halt ICE’s attack on First and Fourth Amendment rights.

Susan Tincher and her family have lived in Minneapolis for 30 years. On Dec. 9, Tincher awoke to a notification that an ICE detainment was happening blocks from her house. She quickly drove to the location of the ICE activity. Within seconds of her arrival, Tincher was arrested by ICE.

“I was on a public street,” said Tincher. “I did not cross any lines. I did not interfere with anything. I did not disobey an order. I asked a single question – ‘are you ICE?’ – and almost immediately, officers rushed me, grabbed me, and slammed me face-first into the snow.”

“The people of Minnesota deserve better than this,” said ACLU-MN Staff Attorney Alicia Granse. “The federal government’s unlawful attacks on observers and protesters must be stopped so that Minnesotans can exercise their constitutional rights and make their voices heard without fear of intimidation and violence.”

“Ciresi Conlin is proud to partner with the ACLU-MN, Forsgren Fisher, and Riach Law to stand up for the rights of peaceful, law-abiding observers and protesters,” said Kyle Wislocky, partner at Ciresi Conlin. “Our mission to protect the future means fighting for a society where no one is intimidated, arrested, or retaliated against for exercising his or her freedoms under the Constitution.”

“We are proud to stand by the brave individuals fighting for the constitutional right for all — no matter size, stature, or power — to peacefully gather information and bear witness,” said Caitlinrose Fisher, partner at Forsgren Fisher.

"In this time of fear and cruelty, we must stand up for our neighbors,” said Kevin Riach, attorney and founder of Riach Law. “The First Amendment protects us when we do. That's what this case is about, and it is a privilege to be a part of it."