The Trump administration launched a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, deploying up to 2,000 federal agents amid fraud allegations and heightened tensions.
Trump Administration Launches Major Immigration Operation in Minnesota
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has initiated what officials call the largest federal immigration enforcement operation ever. This operation will deploy as many as 2,000 federal agents and officers to the Minneapolis area. It is partly linked to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents.
Details of the Operation
The surge significantly increases the federal law enforcement presence in Minnesota amid rising political and community tensions. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons described the crackdown as the agency’s “largest immigration operation ever.”
Neither Lyons nor Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin provided details on the number of officers involved. A source familiar with the operation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the Department of Homeland Security plans to send as many as 2,000 officers to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
Increased Federal Presence
Immigrant rights groups and local officials reported a noticeable rise in sightings of federal agents, especially around St. Paul. Many agents’ vehicles were seen making traffic stops near businesses and apartment buildings.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was present and accompanied ICE officers during at least one arrest. A video posted on X showed Noem in a tactical vest as agents arrested a man in St. Paul. In the video, she stated, “You will be held accountable for your crimes.”
The Department of Homeland Security reported that the arrested man was from Ecuador and was wanted on charges including murder and sexual assault. Agents arrested 150 people in enforcement actions in Minneapolis on Monday.
Local Reactions
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticized the federal enforcement surge, calling it “a war that’s being waged against Minnesota.”
“You’re seeing that we have a ridiculous surge of apparently 2,000 people not coordinating with us, that are for a show of cameras,” Walz told reporters in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
Residents expressed concern. The Trump administration has focused on the area’s Somali community, the largest in the U.S. Last month, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara criticized federal agents for using “questionable methods.”
St. Paul City Council member Molly Coleman described Tuesday as “unlike any other day we’ve experienced.” She stated, “It’s incredibly distressing.”
Julia Decker, policy director at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, noted an increase in sightings of federal agents in various locations. Dieu Do, an organizer with the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, confirmed a heavier presence of agents.
Focus on Fraud Allegations
About three-quarters of the enforcement personnel are expected to come from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. This group carries out immigration arrests and deportations. The operation also includes agents from Homeland Security Investigations, which focuses on fraud and cross-border criminal networks.
HSI agents are going door-to-door in the Twin Cities area to investigate allegations of fraud, human smuggling, and unlawful employment practices. Deportation officers will conduct arrests of immigrants accused of violating immigration law.
Hotel Controversy
Hilton announced it would remove a Minnesota hotel from its systems for “not meeting our standards and values” after it denied service to federal agents. The Hampton Inn Lakeville, located about 20 miles outside Minneapolis, had canceled federal agents’ reservations but later apologized.
Background on Immigration Arrests
Federal authorities began increasing immigration arrests in the Minneapolis area late last year. Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel announced last week that federal agencies were intensifying operations in Minnesota, focusing on fraud investigations.
President Donald Trump has linked the administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota to fraud cases involving federal nutrition and pandemic aid programs, many involving defendants with Somali roots.
The source familiar with the operation warned that its scope and duration could change in the coming days.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Operation Launch | October 2023 | Deployment of up to 2,000 federal agents to Minneapolis. |
| Arrests Made | October 2023 | 150 people arrested in Minneapolis. |
| Governor’s Statement | October 2023 | Governor Walz criticizes federal enforcement surge. |
| Hotel Controversy | October 2023 | Hampton Inn Lakeville cancels federal agents’ reservations. |
