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The federal government has deployed additional immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an intensification in its rhetoric and actions targeting the state and its immigrant populations.

Federal Surge Confirmed by Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed on social media that it is “surging to Minneapolis to root out fraud, arrest perpetrators and deport criminal undocumented individuals”. The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, stated to a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now”.

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

Reports suggest the administration is bringing in another two thousand agents, from both ICE and HSI, 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 stated it had “surged law enforcement” presence.

The Crackdown Effort and Community Impact

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the agency's enforcement push in Minnesota has been underway since the start of last month. In response, community members have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and attempting to block deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly avoided public life, forgoing trips to grocery stores or medical care due to fear of being detained.

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, is believed 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 sought for murder in his nation of origin.

Broader Backdrop: High-Profile Cases and Rhetoric

This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is grappling with several prominent cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have allegedly captured the focus 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 further stated that officers have been “going door to door” to companies suspected of hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “investigating these fraud cases”. He commended 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 “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 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 forceful condemnation highlights the significant division between state and federal authorities over this intensifying crackdown.