A federal judge appointed by President Trump has dismissed the Department of Justice's lawsuit against Minnesota over its sanctuary immigration policies, ruling that the state cannot be forced to assist federal immigration enforcement efforts. The decision marks a notable setback for the Trump administration's broader campaign against sanctuary jurisdictions, coming from a judge appointed by the president himself, which is likely to blunt criticism that the ruling was politically motivated.

The case centred on whether Minnesota could be legally compelled to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, with the DOJ arguing the state's policies obstructed enforcement efforts. The judge's ruling reinforces the legal principle that states retain discretion over whether to participate in federal immigration enforcement, a position that sanctuary jurisdictions across the country have relied upon in similar disputes.