The Justice Department in a legal filing Monday night, sharply criticized a request by the state of Minnesota to a federal court to issue an emergency order halting President Trump’s federal immigration enforcement activities within the state.

The request by the state was filed earlier this month in a U.S. District Court in Minnesota and argues the enforcement operations exceed federal authority, endanger local communities and violate the First and 10th amendments to the Constitution.

In a filing submitted Monday night, Justice Department attorneys sharply criticized the request, describing it as an effort to obtain an “unprecedented injunction against a federal law-enforcement operation.” 

Granting such relief, the government argued, would effectively allow a single state to veto the enforcement of federal law by federal officers.

Department attorney also argued immigration enforcement is a core federal responsibility, rooted in the Constitution and reinforced by decades of Supreme Court precedent. The filing further warned that judicial intervention in active enforcement decisions would undermine the executive branch’s discretion in carrying out federal law.

In addition, they argued Minnesota failed to meet the high legal standard required for emergency relief. According to the Justice Department, the state has not demonstrated the immediate and irreparable harm necessary to justify an injunction, particularly given courts’ longstanding reluctance to intervene in executive enforcement priorities.

The case is proceeding before U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez. Given the expedited nature of Minnesota’s request, a ruling is expected soon.