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The national administration has dispatched additional immigration officials to Minnesota, representing an intensification in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the state and its immigrant populations.

Federal Surge Announced by DHS

The Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that it is “surging to Minneapolis to root out fraud, apprehend perpetrators and deport criminal undocumented individuals”. The top official of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, stated to a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the biggest immigration crackdown ever taking place right now”.

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

Reports suggest the administration is sending another 2,000 agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a one-month period. While Lyons did not verify that specific figure, he called it a combined operation from both agencies. DHS declined to specify a number but stated it had “surged law enforcement” resources.

The Crackdown Effort and Community Impact

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the agency's crackdown in Minnesota has been ongoing since the start of last month. In response, community members have pushed back against ICE, organizing protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly stayed away from public life, skipping trips to grocery stores or medical care due to fear of being detained.

The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, is believed to be personally involved in the state. She is seen in a DHS video of an arrest in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador sought for murder in his nation of origin.

Broader Backdrop: Fraud Allegations and Comments

This focus on Minnesota comes while the state is dealing with several high-profile cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have reportedly drawn the attention of former President Trump and resulted in anti-immigrant comments from him targeting Somalis. It is worth noting, Minnesota is home to the biggest Somali population in the U.S., and the vast majority of Somalis in the state are U.S. citizens.

Lyons further stated 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 “highly effective operation” in Minneapolis and framed the effort as fighting against local non-cooperation policies in places like Minnesota.

Governor's Rebuke

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

“In my view, 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 doesn’t care about the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz

The state's forceful condemnation highlights the significant division between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying crackdown.