Appeals Court Pauses Order Limiting Immigration Agent Action Against Minnesota Protesters

A lower court said agents could not use tear gas or detain protesters if they were not obstructing the agents.

Federal agents stand in front of protesters in Minneapolis on Jan. 15, 2026. Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images

A U.S. appeals court on Jan. 21 paused an order that restricted federal immigration agents from detaining or using tear gas against protesters in Minnesota if they were not obstructing officers.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued the one-page order without providing an explanation.