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The federal government has dispatched a fresh wave of immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an escalation in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the state and its immigrant populations.

Operation Details Announced by Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed on social media that it is “surging to Minneapolis to eradicate fraud, arrest perpetrators and deport criminal illegal aliens”. 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”.

“We have the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, ICE Official

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 Lyons did not verify 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” resources.

Operation Metro Surge and Community Impact

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the federal 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 reportedly avoided public life, skipping trips to grocery stores or medical care due to fear of being apprehended.

The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, is believed to be personally involved in the state. She is seen in a DHS video of an arrest in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador wanted for murder in his nation of origin.

Political Context: Fraud Allegations and Comments

This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is grappling with several prominent cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have reportedly drawn the attention of former President Trump and led to 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 added that officers have been “going door to door” to companies allegedly 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 press conference, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz labeled the federal surge “outrageous” and part of a “conflict that’s being waged against Minnesota”.

“I don’t think 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 state's forceful criticism highlights the deep political rift between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.