Five refugees, along with several legal advocacy groups, filed a class action lawsuit on January 24, 2026, against Department of Homeland Security officials over a controversial enforcement effort known as Operation PARRIS. Filed in a Minnesota federal court, the lawsuit alleges that since the program launched on January 9, federal agents have unlawfully detained and interrogated legally admitted refugees who have not yet received green cards. The complaint estimates that about 5,600 refugees in Minnesota have been targeted so far.
Plaintiffs claim agents conducted “warrantless and often violent” arrests at homes, workplaces, and schools, with some individuals even transported to Texas for questioning and released without identification or money to return. Advocacy groups involved, including the International Refugee Assistance Project and the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, argue these actions violate the U.S. Constitution and federal immigration law. The lawsuit seeks a court order to halt the detentions and stop out-of-state transfers, while DHS has previously said the operation is meant to prevent fraud within the immigration system.
This blog is intended to provide information to the general public and to practitioners about developments that may impact Oregon class actions.
