🔗 Share this article

The national administration has deployed a fresh wave of immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an intensification in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the state and its immigrant populations.

Federal Surge Announced by DHS

The Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that it is “surging to Minneapolis to root out fraud, arrest perpetrators and remove criminal undocumented individuals”. The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, told a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the biggest immigration crackdown ever underway right now”.

“We have the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Official

News accounts indicate the administration is sending another 2,000 agents, from both ICE and HSI, into the state for a 30-day period. While the ICE official did not confirm that specific figure, he called it a joint effort from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but stated it had “increased law enforcement” resources.

The Crackdown Effort and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the federal enforcement push in Minnesota has been ongoing since early December. In reaction, community members have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly avoided public life, skipping trips to grocery stores or medical care due to fear of being apprehended.

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, appears to be personally involved in the state. She is featured in a government-produced video of an arrest in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador wanted for murder in his home country.

Broader Backdrop: Fraud Allegations and Comments

This focus on Minnesota comes while the state is grappling with several prominent cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have reportedly drawn the attention of former President Trump and resulted in anti-immigrant comments from him specifically about Somalis. Notably, Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., and the vast majority of Somalis in the state are U.S. citizens.

Lyons added that officers have been “going door to door” to companies suspected of 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 press conference, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the federal surge “outrageous” and part of a “war 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 governor's strong criticism highlights the deep division between state and federal authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.