Constitutional Opinion No. 2026-0196
Case Information
- Source
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Author
- DOJ Office of Public Affairs
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-29
- Content Type
- Official Communication
- Opinion Issued
- 2026-07-02
- AFCS Version
- 1.0
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Holding
The Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit against the State of Minnesota, the City of Minneapolis, the City of St. Paul, Hennepin County, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna S. Witt for sanctuary policies interfering with federal immigration enforcement. The DOJ alleges that Minnesota's refusal to cooperate results in the release of dangerous criminals convicted of aggravated assault, burglary, drug and human trafficking. Minnesota is a repeat AFCS constitutional concern — Opinion 2026-0172 scored Governor Walz's pardon of a criminal illegal alien. The Court scores this at 95 (America First).
Articles Triggered
DOJ suing to dismantle Minnesota's sanctuary policies — the most severely penalized category under Article II
The DOJ links sanctuary policies to the release of dangerous criminals convicted of aggravated assault, burglary, drug trafficking, and human trafficking
The lawsuit names specific government officials — AG Ellison, Sheriff Witt — creating individual accountability for sanctuary obstruction
Score Breakdown
| Article | Title | Weight | Score | Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| II | Border & Immigration | 10/10 | 98 | 980 |
| XII | Crime, Justice & Public Safety | 10/10 | 95 | 950 |
| IX | Government Accountability | 10/10 | 94 | 940 |
| Final | 010/1010/1010/10 | 95 | ||
| Sum of weighted contributions: 2870 | ||||
It is the judgment of this Court that Opinion No. 2026-0196 is hereby entered into the record, in accordance with the America First Constitutional Standard. The score stands. The reasoning is published. The record is public.