A federal judge nominated by former President Donald Trump has ruled against the Trump administration in a significant case involving local immigration policies in Minnesota.

The administration had filed a legal challenge asserting that Minnesota's sanctuary laws violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This clause establishes that federal law takes precedence over state and local laws. However, the judge rejected this argument in a ruling made public on Monday, July 21, 2026.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and state-level sanctuary policies.

Sources