DHS faces potential contempt charges over Minneapolis church surveillance

A federal judge has initiated proceedings that could lead to a contempt charge against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Judge Dennis Saylor ordered the agency to show cause by Friday regarding an alleged violation of a previous injunction that barred immigration enforcement activities in houses of worship.

The legal action follows an incident in Minneapolis where an undercover DHS agent reportedly exposed himself by dropping a recording device inside a church gym. The investigation also allegedly involved surveillance of the church exterior and its parking lot. This development occurs amid heightened tensions between the administration’s deportation efforts and religious institutions.

Separately, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported a significant surge in activity, with nearly 50,000 arrests made last month, setting a new monthly record since January 2025. This increase is attributed to several factors, including the use of 'Kavanaugh stops' during traffic stops, increased coordination with local law enforcement, and the stripping of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from over 300,000 Haitian recipients.