The Former President's Government Intensifies Attack on The North Star State with More Immigration Agents
The federal government has deployed additional immigration enforcement agents to Minnesota, marking an escalation 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 root out fraud, arrest 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, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Official
Reports indicate the federal government is bringing in another 2,000 agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a 30-day period. While Lyons did not verify that specific figure, he described it as a joint effort from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but stated it had “surged law enforcement” presence.
Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout
Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the agency's crackdown in the state 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 fear of being apprehended.
The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, appears to be on the ground in the state. She is seen 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 Rhetoric
This focus on Minnesota occurs as the state is grappling 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 biggest Somali population in the U.S., and the vast majority of Somalis in the state are U.S. citizens.
Lyons further stated that officers have been “going door to door” to businesses allegedly hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “looking at these fraud cases”. He praised Secretary Noem for leading an “awesome, successful operation” in Minneapolis and framed the effort as fighting against sanctuary policies in places like Minnesota.
State Leadership Response
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 state government in history has had to fight a war against the federal government every single day. We are being attacked like no other time in our state’s history because of a petty, vile administration that doesn’t care about the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz
The governor's forceful condemnation highlights the deep division between state and federal authorities over this escalating crackdown.