MINNEAPOLIS — The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Monday night against Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna S. Witt over “sanctuary policies” that “interfere with the federal government’s enforcement of its immigration laws.”It’s not the first time the federal government has labeled Minnesota as a sanctuary state. Tim Walz was invited to Congress for a hearing with “sanctuary governors,” during which he said Minnesota is not a sanctuary state and there has been no bill passed declaring it one. In August, the DOJ again published a list naming Minnesota a sanctuary jurisdiction, despite Walz’s testimony in June. We won’t cave.”St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter also said Monday night that his city’s “long-standing” separation ordinance is an “essential policy” that promotes safety and trust. Mary Murphy / Forum News ServiceFor Hennepin County, the DOJ cited a June 2021 Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office “Administrative Directive 21-02,” which said HSCO would no longer honor ICE detainer requests and would not notify ICE when an immigrant is released from Hennepin County jail.