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The federal government has dispatched additional immigration officials to Minnesota, representing an escalation in its campaign and rhetoric against the region and its sizable immigrant communities.

Operation Details Announced 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, apprehend perpetrators and deport criminal illegal aliens”. 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”.

“We have the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, ICE Official

News accounts indicate the administration is bringing in another 2,000 agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a one-month period. While the ICE official did not verify that specific figure, he described it as a combined operation from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but acknowledged it had “increased law enforcement” presence.

Operation Metro Surge and Community Impact

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the federal crackdown in the state has been ongoing since the start of last month. In reaction, local residents have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly stayed away from 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 featured in a DHS video of an arrest in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador wanted for murder in his nation of origin.

Broader Backdrop: High-Profile Cases and Comments

This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is grappling with several high-profile cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have allegedly drawn the attention of former President Trump and led to xenophobic comments from him specifically about Somalis. It is worth noting, 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 allegedly 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.

State Leadership Response

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

“In my view, any state 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 spiteful, malicious administration that is indifferent to the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz

The state's forceful criticism underscores the deep division between state and federal authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.