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The national administration has deployed additional immigration enforcement agents to the state of Minnesota, marking an escalation in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the region and its sizable immigrant communities.

Operation Details Confirmed by DHS

The Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that it is “surging to Minneapolis to eradicate fraud, arrest 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 biggest immigration operation 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 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 called it a joint effort from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but acknowledged it had “surged law enforcement” resources.

Operation Metro Surge and Community Impact

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the agency's enforcement push in the state has been underway since early December. In response, community members have fought back against ICE, organizing protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly stayed away from public life, forgoing 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 featured in a government-produced video of an apprehension in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador sought for murder in his nation of origin.

Broader Backdrop: High-Profile Cases and Rhetoric

This fixation on Minnesota comes while the state is dealing with several prominent cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have allegedly drawn the attention of former President Trump and led to xenophobic comments from him targeting 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 added that officers have been “conducting visits” to businesses suspected of hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “looking at 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 public statement, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called 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 under assault 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 strong criticism underscores the deep division between state and federal authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.