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The national administration has dispatched additional immigration enforcement agents to the state of Minnesota, marking an intensification in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the region and its sizable immigrant communities.

Federal Surge Confirmed by Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed on social media that it is “deploying additional forces 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 largest immigration crackdown ever taking place right now”.

“Our agency has the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, ICE Acting Director

News accounts indicate the federal government is sending another two thousand agents, from both ICE and HSI, into the state for a one-month period. While Lyons 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 Local Fallout

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the federal crackdown in the state has been underway since early December. In reaction, community members have pushed back against ICE, engaging in 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, is believed to be on the ground in the state. She is featured in a government-produced video of an apprehension in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador sought for murder in his nation of origin.

Broader Backdrop: Fraud Allegations and Rhetoric

This fixation on Minnesota comes while the state is dealing with several high-profile cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have reportedly captured the attention of former President Trump and resulted in anti-immigrant comments from him targeting Somalis. Notably, Minnesota is home to the biggest 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 “looking at these fraud cases”. He praised Secretary Noem for running 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 called the federal surge “ridiculous” and part of a “war that’s being fought 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 under assault like no other time in our state’s history because of a spiteful, malicious administration that is indifferent to the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz

The governor's forceful criticism underscores the deep division between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this escalating crackdown.