The United States Department of Justice is suing Minnesota, and both Twin Cities, over so-called "sanctuary city" policies.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi alleged on Monday that "Minnesota officials are jeopardizing the safety of their own citizens by allowing illegal aliens to circumvent the legal process."

In the 34-page lawsuit, the department is asking a judge to invalidate sections of the state constitution, city codes in St. Paul and Minneapolis and Hennepin County administrative orders.

Federal prosecutors claim the collective policies that prevent local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement are unconstitutional.

Both Twin Cities mayors responded to the lawsuit.

"Minneapolis will not back down. We will fight with all our strength for our immigrant neighbors - and we will win," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. "Donald Trump has built his career on attacking immigrants and dividing Americans, and now he's dragging our city into court with a fear-driven, politically motivated lawsuit. We won't be bullied. We won't cave. Minneapolis will always stand with our neighbors over Trump's politics of fear."

"City employees don't work for the president, we work for the people who live here," St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said. "We will stand with our immigrant and refugee neighbors no matter how many unconstitutional claims the White House makes. We've proven our resolve in two successful court actions already this year, and we look forward to winning our third legal victory in a row against this embarrassing federal regime."  

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have city ordinances that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The state of Minnesota has no law making it a "sanctuary state" for undocumented immigrants.