🔗 Share this article

The federal government has deployed a fresh wave of immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an intensification in its rhetoric and actions against the state and its immigrant communities.

Federal Surge Confirmed by DHS

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 top official of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, told 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, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Official

Reports indicate the administration is bringing in another two thousand agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a one-month 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 “increased law enforcement” resources.

Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout

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

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

Political Context: High-Profile Cases and Rhetoric

This focus on Minnesota comes while the state is dealing with several high-profile cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have allegedly drawn the attention of former President Trump and resulted in xenophobic comments from him specifically about Somalis. It is worth noting, 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 added that officers have been “going door to door” to businesses suspected of hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “investigating these fraud cases”. He praised Secretary Noem for running an “awesome, successful operation” in Minneapolis and framed the effort as fighting against sanctuary policies in places like Minnesota.

Governor's Rebuke

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

“In my view, 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 petty, vile administration that is indifferent to the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz

The governor's strong criticism underscores the significant political rift between state and federal authorities over this escalating crackdown.