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

Operation Details 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 deport 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 biggest immigration operation ever taking place right now”.

“Our agency has the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, ICE Acting Director

News accounts suggest the administration is sending another two thousand agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, 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 declined to specify a number but stated it had “surged law enforcement” presence.

Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the agency's crackdown in Minnesota has been underway since early December. In reaction, 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 detained.

The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, appears 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 sought for murder in his nation of origin.

Broader Backdrop: Fraud Allegations and Rhetoric

This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is dealing with several high-profile cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have reportedly drawn the attention of former President Trump and led to anti-immigrant comments from him specifically about Somalis. It is worth noting, 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 “looking at these fraud cases”. He praised 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.

State Leadership Response

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

“In my view, any 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 criticism highlights the significant division between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying crackdown.