🔗 Share this article

The federal government has dispatched additional immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an escalation in its rhetoric and actions against the state and its immigrant populations.

Federal Surge Confirmed by Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed on social media that it is “surging to Minneapolis to eradicate fraud, apprehend perpetrators and remove criminal undocumented individuals”. The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, stated to a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the largest immigration operation 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 sending another 2,000 agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a one-month period. While the ICE official did not verify that specific figure, he called it a combined operation from both agencies. DHS declined to specify a number but acknowledged it had “increased law enforcement” resources.

Operation Metro Surge and Community Impact

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the federal crackdown in Minnesota has been underway since early December. In response, local residents have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have reportedly stayed away from public life, forgoing trips to grocery stores or medical care due to apprehension of being detained.

The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, appears to be personally involved in the state. She is featured in a DHS video of an apprehension in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador sought for murder in his home country.

Broader Backdrop: Fraud Allegations and Rhetoric

This focus on Minnesota occurs as the state is dealing with several prominent cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have reportedly drawn the focus of former President Trump and resulted in xenophobic comments from him targeting Somalis. It is worth noting, Minnesota is home to the biggest Somali population in the U.S., and the majority of Somalis in the state are U.S. citizens.

Lyons added that officers have been “going door to door” to businesses allegedly hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “investigating these fraud cases”. He commended Secretary Noem for running an “highly effective operation” in Minneapolis and framed the effort as fighting against local non-cooperation policies in places like Minnesota.

Governor's Rebuke

In a public statement, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz labeled the federal surge “ridiculous” and part of a “conflict that’s being waged against Minnesota”.

“I don’t think any government in history has had to fight a war 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 governor's strong criticism highlights the deep political rift between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this escalating enforcement initiative.