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The national administration has deployed a fresh wave of immigration enforcement agents to the state of Minnesota, marking an escalation in its rhetoric and actions targeting the region and its sizable immigrant populations.

Federal Surge Announced by DHS

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed on social media that it is “surging to Minneapolis to root out fraud, arrest perpetrators and remove criminal undocumented individuals”. The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, told a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the largest immigration crackdown ever underway right now”.

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

Reports suggest the federal government is bringing in another two thousand agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a one-month period. While the ICE official 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.

The Crackdown Effort and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the agency's enforcement push in Minnesota has been underway since early December. In response, community members have fought 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 fear of being detained.

The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, is believed to be on the ground in the state. She is seen in a DHS video of an apprehension in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador wanted for murder in his nation of origin.

Political Context: Fraud Allegations and Comments

This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is grappling with several prominent cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have allegedly drawn the focus of former President Trump and led to 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 further stated that officers have been “conducting visits” to businesses allegedly hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “investigating these fraud cases”. He commended Secretary Noem for leading an “highly effective operation” in Minneapolis and said the agents were fighting against local non-cooperation policies in places like Minnesota.

Governor's Rebuke

In a public statement, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the federal surge “ridiculous” and part of a “conflict 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 under assault 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 underscores the significant political rift between state and federal authorities over this intensifying crackdown.