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The federal government has dispatched additional immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an intensification in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the state and its immigrant communities.

Operation Details Confirmed by Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated 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, 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 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 30-day period. While Lyons did not confirm that specific figure, he described it as a combined operation from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but stated it had “surged law enforcement” presence.

The Crackdown Effort and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the federal crackdown in Minnesota has been ongoing since the start of last month. In response, local residents have pushed back against ICE, organizing protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have reportedly avoided public life, skipping trips to grocery stores or medical care due to fear of being detained.

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

Broader Backdrop: High-Profile Cases and Rhetoric

This focus on Minnesota comes while the state is dealing with several high-profile cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have allegedly drawn the focus 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 further stated that officers have been “conducting visits” to businesses allegedly hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “investigating these fraud cases”. He commended Secretary Noem for leading an “awesome, successful 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 labeled the federal surge “outrageous” and part of a “war that’s being waged against Minnesota”.

“In my view, 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 strong criticism highlights the deep political rift between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.