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The federal government has dispatched additional immigration enforcement agents to the state of Minnesota, marking an escalation in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the region and its sizable immigrant communities.

Federal Surge Confirmed by Homeland Security

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 undocumented individuals”. The top official of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, told a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the largest immigration operation ever underway right now”.

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

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

Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the federal enforcement push in Minnesota has been underway since early December. In response, community members have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have reportedly avoided public life, forgoing trips to grocery stores or medical care due to fear of being detained.

The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, appears to be personally involved in the state. She is seen in a DHS 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 Comments

This fixation on Minnesota comes while the state is dealing with several prominent cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have reportedly drawn the focus of former President Trump and led to xenophobic comments from him specifically about Somalis. Notably, Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., and the vast majority of Somalis in the state are U.S. citizens.

Lyons added that officers have been “conducting visits” to companies suspected of hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “looking at these fraud cases”. He praised Secretary Noem for leading an “awesome, successful operation” in Minneapolis and framed the effort as fighting against sanctuary policies in places like Minnesota.

State Leadership Response

In a public statement, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz labeled the federal surge “outrageous” and part of a “conflict that’s being waged against Minnesota”.

“In my view, any state government in history has had to battle 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 is indifferent to the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz

The governor's strong criticism underscores the significant division between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.