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The national administration has dispatched additional immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an intensification in its campaign and rhetoric against the region and its sizable immigrant communities.

Operation Details Confirmed by Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed on social media that it is “deploying additional forces to Minneapolis to eradicate fraud, apprehend perpetrators and deport criminal illegal aliens”. 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 taking place right now”.

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

Reports indicate 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 described it as a combined operation from both agencies. DHS declined to specify a number but stated it had “surged law enforcement” resources.

Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the federal enforcement push in Minnesota has been underway since the start of last month. In reaction, local residents have pushed back against ICE, organizing protests and attempting to block deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have reportedly stayed away from public life, forgoing trips to grocery stores or medical care due to apprehension of being detained.

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, appears to be on the ground in the state. She is featured in a DHS video of an arrest in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador wanted for murder in his nation of origin.

Political Context: Fraud Allegations and Rhetoric

This focus on Minnesota occurs as the state is grappling 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 biggest Somali population in the U.S., and the majority of Somalis in the state are U.S. citizens.

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

State Leadership Response

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

“I don’t think any 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 condemnation highlights the significant political rift between state and federal authorities over this escalating crackdown.