The federal government has dispatched additional immigration officials to Minnesota, representing an intensification in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the region and its sizable immigrant communities.
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed on social media that it is “surging to Minneapolis to eradicate fraud, apprehend perpetrators and deport criminal undocumented individuals”. The top official of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, told a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the biggest immigration operation ever taking place right now”.
“We have the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Official
Reports suggest the federal government is sending another two thousand agents, from both ICE and HSI, into the state for a one-month period. While Lyons did not verify that specific figure, he called it a combined operation from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but stated it had “increased law enforcement” presence.
Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the agency's crackdown in the state has been underway since the start of last month. In reaction, community members have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and attempting to block deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly stayed away from 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 on the ground in the state. She is seen in a DHS video of an arrest in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador wanted for murder in his home country.
This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is dealing with several high-profile cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have reportedly captured the attention of former President Trump and led to xenophobic comments from him targeting 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 suspected of hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “investigating these fraud cases”. He commended Secretary Noem for running an “awesome, successful operation” in Minneapolis and said the agents were fighting against sanctuary policies in places like Minnesota.
In a public statement, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the federal surge “outrageous” and part of a “conflict that’s being waged against Minnesota”.
“I don’t think any state government in history has had to battle against the federal government every single day. We are being attacked 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 strong criticism underscores the deep political rift between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.
Elara is a financial strategist with over a decade of experience in wealth management and entrepreneurship.
