The Trump administration has escalated its immigration enforcement in Minnesota, deploying an additional 2,000 ICE and Homeland Security agents to the state. Immigration officials have described the effort as the agency's 'largest operation to date,' targeting undocumented immigrants and alleged fraud.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the surge, stating it aims to 'root out fraud, arrest perpetrators and remove criminal illegal aliens.' Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told Newsmax that the operation in Minneapolis represents 'the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.'
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is in Minnesota and was seen in a video of an arrest of an Ecuadorian man wanted for murder in his home country. The operation, named 'Operation Metro Surge,' has been ongoing since early December, with agents conducting door-to-door visits at businesses suspected of hiring undocumented workers.
Community members have protested the crackdown, with some immigrants avoiding public activities due to fear of apprehension. Governor Tim Walz condemned the surge as 'ridiculous' and part of a 'war that's being waged against Minnesota,' accusing the administration of targeting the state due to its large Somali population.
