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The national administration has deployed additional immigration officials to the state of Minnesota, representing an intensification in its campaign and rhetoric against the state and its immigrant communities.

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, apprehend perpetrators and deport criminal undocumented individuals”. 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 crackdown ever taking place 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 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 combined operation from both agencies. DHS declined to specify a number but acknowledged it had “surged law enforcement” presence.

The Crackdown Effort and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the federal enforcement push in the state has been underway since early December. In response, community members have pushed back against ICE, organizing 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 detained.

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, is believed to be personally involved in the state. She is seen in a government-produced video of an apprehension in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador wanted for murder in his home country.

Broader Backdrop: High-Profile Cases and Comments

This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is dealing with several high-profile cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have reportedly drawn the focus of former President Trump and resulted in anti-immigrant comments from him targeting Somalis. Notably, Minnesota is home to the largest 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 “conducting visits” to businesses suspected of hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “looking at 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 labeled the federal surge “ridiculous” and part of a “conflict that’s being waged against Minnesota”.

“In my view, 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 strong condemnation underscores the deep division between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying crackdown.