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The national administration has deployed additional immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an escalation in its rhetoric and actions against the state and its immigrant populations.

Federal Surge Announced by Homeland Security

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 taking place right now”.

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

News accounts indicate the federal government is sending another two thousand agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a one-month period. While Lyons did not verify that specific figure, he called it a joint effort from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but stated it had “surged law enforcement” resources.

Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the federal crackdown in Minnesota has been underway since early December. In response, local residents have pushed back against ICE, organizing protests and attempting to block deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have reportedly stayed away from public life, skipping trips to grocery stores or medical care due to fear of being apprehended.

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, is believed 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 sought for murder in his nation of origin.

Political Context: High-Profile Cases and Comments

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 anti-immigrant comments from him targeting 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 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 framed the effort as fighting against sanctuary policies in places like Minnesota.

State Leadership Response

In a public statement, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the federal surge “ridiculous” and part of a “conflict that’s being fought against Minnesota”.

“I don’t think 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 state's forceful condemnation highlights the deep division between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this escalating crackdown.