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The national administration has deployed a fresh wave of immigration enforcement agents to Minnesota, marking an escalation in its rhetoric and actions targeting the state and its immigrant communities.

Operation Details Confirmed by Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed on social media that it is “surging to Minneapolis to root out fraud, apprehend perpetrators and deport criminal illegal aliens”. The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, told a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the largest 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 indicate the administration is sending another two thousand agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a 30-day period. While the ICE official did not confirm that specific figure, he described it as a joint effort from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but acknowledged it had “surged law enforcement” presence.

Operation Metro Surge and Community Impact

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the agency's enforcement push in Minnesota has been underway since early December. In reaction, community members have fought back against ICE, organizing protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly avoided public life, skipping trips to grocery stores or medical care due to apprehension of being apprehended.

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, appears to be on the ground 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.

Political Context: High-Profile Cases and Comments

This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is dealing with several prominent cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have allegedly captured the focus of former President Trump and resulted in xenophobic comments from him targeting Somalis. It is worth noting, 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 added that officers have been “conducting visits” to companies suspected of 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 sanctuary policies in places like Minnesota.

Governor's Rebuke

In a public statement, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called 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 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 governor's strong condemnation highlights the deep political rift between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this escalating enforcement initiative.