A coalition of legal groups filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, alleging an unconstitutional policy allowing ICE agents to enter homes without judicial warrants. The suit claims the agency adopted this undisclosed policy last year, enabling forced entries that violate the Fourth Amendment. The legal challenge was filed in the District of Columbia on behalf of residents in Minnesota whose homes were searched.

According to the lawsuit, ICE agents have conducted violent confrontations with armed force, detaining U.S. citizens and forcing people into freezing streets in their pajamas. The policy came to light through whistle-blowers who revealed a May 12, 2025 memo signed by ICE's acting director authorizing administrative warrants. President Trump deployed over 3,000 agents to Minnesota as part of his immigration crackdown, with ICE relying on the I-205 Form instead of judicial warrants.

The groups argue this policy creates circular logic where ICE agents both authorize and execute forced entries without judicial oversight. They emphasize this represents a sharp departure from previous ICE practices, where agents were trained to avoid home entries without warrants. The lawsuit builds on experiences of six plaintiffs, including longtime U.S. residents from Liberia, Somalia, and El Salvador, whose constitutional rights were allegedly violated during these operations.