Executive Summary
- U.S. District Judge John Tunheim ordered the release of refugees detained under DHS “Operation PARRIS” within five days.
- The operation targeted approximately 6,000 refugees in Minnesota without green cards to investigate alleged fraud.
- The court ruled that detainees transferred out of state must be returned to Minnesota.
- The judge affirmed the refugees’ legal right to be in the U.S., citing their extensive prior vetting.
MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge has ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release lawful refugees detained during “Operation PARRIS,” a recent federal sweep targeting individuals in Minnesota. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim issued the ruling on Wednesday, mandating that the detainees be released from custody within five days and that any individuals transferred out of the state be returned to Minnesota.
According to court documents, “Operation PARRIS” (Operation Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening) was launched by the DHS on January 9. The initiative targeted approximately 6,000 refugees in Minnesota who do not currently hold green cards. DHS officials stated that the operation was intended to “root out fraud” within the immigration system.
Following the detentions, a class-action lawsuit was filed seeking an immediate injunction to halt the operation. Michelle Drake, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, argued that the individuals targeted are in the country legally. “These are people who entered this country legally under affirmative refugee programs,” Drake said. She noted that the plaintiffs underwent extensive background and biometric screening before receiving work authorization and admission to the United States.
In his decision, Judge Tunheim granted the temporary order, stating that while the DHS may continue lawful enforcement of immigration laws, the specific detention of these refugees violated their rights. The judge wrote in his conclusion that refugees possess a legal right to work and live peacefully, noting, “We abandon that ideal when we subject our neighbors to fear and chaos.”
Legal Ramifications
The ruling represents a significant judicial check on federal immigration enforcement powers regarding individuals with established refugee status. By ordering the return of transferred detainees and setting a strict timeline for their release, the court has emphasized the protection of due process rights for lawful entrants against broad investigative sweeps. This decision establishes a procedural precedent that may influence how future “reverification” operations are conducted by federal agencies, balancing national security investigations with the civil liberties of the refugee population. It is important to note that while the investigation targeted alleged fraud, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
