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The national administration has deployed additional immigration officials to the state of Minnesota, representing an escalation in its campaign and rhetoric against the region and its sizable immigrant communities.

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, told a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the biggest immigration crackdown ever taking place right now”.

“We have the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Official

News accounts suggest the federal government is bringing in another 2,000 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 “increased law enforcement” resources.

Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the agency's crackdown in Minnesota has been ongoing since early December. In reaction, local residents have fought 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 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 home country.

Broader Backdrop: High-Profile Cases and Comments

This focus on Minnesota comes while the state is grappling with several prominent cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have allegedly drawn the attention of former President Trump and resulted in xenophobic comments from him targeting Somalis. Notably, Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., and the majority of Somalis in the state are U.S. citizens.

Lyons further stated 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 praised Secretary Noem for leading an “highly effective 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 “ridiculous” 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 doesn’t care about the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz

The governor's forceful criticism underscores the deep political rift between state and federal authorities over this escalating crackdown.