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The national administration has dispatched additional immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an intensification in its rhetoric and actions targeting the state and its immigrant populations.

Operation Details Confirmed by DHS

The Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that it is “deploying additional forces to Minneapolis to root out fraud, arrest perpetrators and remove criminal illegal aliens”. The top official of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, stated to a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the biggest immigration operation ever underway right now”.

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

News accounts indicate the federal government is bringing in another 2,000 agents, from both ICE and HSI, into the state for a one-month period. While the ICE official did not confirm that specific figure, he called it a combined operation from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but acknowledged it had “surged law enforcement” resources.

Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the agency's enforcement push in Minnesota has been ongoing since early December. In response, community members have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and attempting to block deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have reportedly stayed away from public life, forgoing trips to grocery stores or medical care due to apprehension of being apprehended.

The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, appears to be on the ground in the state. She is featured in a government-produced video of an arrest in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador wanted for murder in his nation of origin.

Broader Backdrop: High-Profile Cases and Comments

This fixation on Minnesota comes while the state is grappling with several high-profile cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have allegedly 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 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 public statement, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the federal surge “outrageous” and part of a “conflict 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 state's strong condemnation underscores the significant political rift between state and federal authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.