🔗 Share this article

The federal government has dispatched a fresh wave of immigration enforcement agents to Minnesota, marking an escalation in its rhetoric and actions against the region and its sizable immigrant communities.

Operation Details Announced by DHS

The Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that it is “deploying additional forces to Minneapolis to root out fraud, apprehend perpetrators and deport criminal illegal aliens”. The top official of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, stated to a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the largest immigration crackdown ever taking place right now”.

“Our agency has the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, ICE Acting Director

Reports indicate the administration is bringing in another 2,000 agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a 30-day period. While the ICE official did not confirm that specific figure, he described it as a combined operation from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but acknowledged it had “surged law enforcement” resources.

Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the federal crackdown in Minnesota has been underway since early December. In reaction, community members have pushed back against ICE, organizing protests and attempting to block deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly avoided public life, skipping trips to grocery stores or medical care due to apprehension of being detained.

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, is believed to be personally involved in the state. She is seen in a DHS video of an arrest in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador sought for murder in his nation of origin.

Political Context: High-Profile Cases and Comments

This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is grappling with several prominent cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have allegedly captured the focus of former President Trump and resulted in xenophobic comments from him specifically about Somalis. Notably, Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., and the majority of Somalis in the state are U.S. citizens.

Lyons further stated that officers have been “conducting visits” to businesses allegedly hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “looking at these fraud cases”. He commended Secretary Noem for running an “awesome, successful operation” in Minneapolis and framed the effort as fighting against local non-cooperation policies in places like Minnesota.

State Leadership Response

In a press conference, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz labeled the federal surge “outrageous” and part of a “war that’s being fought against Minnesota”.

“I don’t think any state government in history has had to battle against the federal government every single day. We are under assault like no other time in our state’s history because of a spiteful, malicious administration that doesn’t care about the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz

The state's forceful condemnation underscores the deep political rift between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying crackdown.