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The national administration has deployed additional immigration enforcement agents to the state of Minnesota, marking an intensification in its campaign and rhetoric against 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 root out fraud, arrest perpetrators and deport criminal undocumented individuals”. The top official of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, told a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the biggest 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

News accounts suggest the administration is sending another 2,000 agents, from both ICE and HSI, into the state for a 30-day period. While the ICE official did not verify that specific figure, he called it a combined operation from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but stated it had “surged law enforcement” presence.

The Crackdown Effort and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the agency's enforcement push in the state has been ongoing since early December. In response, local residents have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and attempting to block deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have reportedly avoided public life, forgoing trips to grocery stores or medical care due to fear of being detained.

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, appears to be personally involved 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 home country.

Political Context: Fraud Allegations and Comments

This focus on Minnesota occurs as the state is dealing with several high-profile cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have reportedly captured the attention of former President Trump and resulted in xenophobic comments from him targeting 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 businesses allegedly hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “looking at these fraud cases”. He commended Secretary Noem for running an “awesome, successful operation” in Minneapolis and said the agents were fighting against sanctuary policies in places like Minnesota.

Governor's Rebuke

In a press conference, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz labeled the federal surge “ridiculous” and part of a “war that’s being fought 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 petty, vile administration that doesn’t care about the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz

The state's forceful criticism underscores the significant political rift between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.