The driver, Christian Molina, told NPR that he and his wife Lorena, both U.S. citizens, were driving separate cars to a mechanic when he noticed immigration agents interacting with another individual. Molina said he looked at the agents, after which they began chasing him. “They don’t have a reason to stop me, they are not the police,” Molina said in Spanish.
After the collision, Molina said agents repeatedly questioned him about his immigration status. He declined to provide identification, stating that he would only present his driver’s license if Minneapolis Police officers were present. According to Molina, the agents eventually left after running his license plate and confirming his identity. Lorena Molina said she was frightened during the incident. “I felt like I had the need to talk to the officers and say, ‘Hey, please ignore whatever he’s saying, let him live!’” she said. Christian Molina later said, “They are abusing their power.”
Minnesota is not alone in its legal challenge. On the same day, Illinois and the city of Chicago filed their own lawsuit against the Trump administration in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. Chicago officials and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul accused federal immigration authorities of unlawful conduct. In a news release, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said, “The Trump administration has repeatedly violated the law and undermined public trust. These actions weren’t just unlawful; they were cruel, needlessly inflicting fear and harm on our communities.”
That lawsuit alleges that federal immigration agents have questioned residents about their citizenship without reasonable suspicion, conducted civil immigration arrests without warrants or probable cause, and used tear gas and other chemical agents without warning against individuals who were not resisting, according to the city’s statement.
Immigration Crackdown Legal Fight Continues
As federal immigration enforcement expands across Minnesota and other states, multiple lawsuits now challenge the legality of these operations. State and local officials argue that the tactics violate constitutional protections, while the Trump administration maintains that its actions are lawful and necessary. With cases now moving through federal courts, the outcome is expected to shape how immigration enforcement is carried out in affected communities.
