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The national administration has deployed a fresh wave of immigration officials to Minnesota, marking an escalation in its rhetoric and actions targeting the state and its immigrant communities.

Operation Details Announced by DHS

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 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 largest immigration crackdown ever underway right now”.

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

News accounts indicate 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 Lyons did not verify that specific figure, he called it a joint effort from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but stated it had “increased law enforcement” resources.

The Crackdown Effort and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the agency's enforcement push in the state has been underway since the start of last month. In reaction, community members have pushed back against ICE, organizing protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have reportedly avoided 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 on the ground in the state. She is seen in a government-produced video of an arrest in Minneapolis of a man from Ecuador sought for murder in his home country.

Broader Backdrop: High-Profile Cases and Rhetoric

This focus on Minnesota occurs as the state is grappling with several prominent cases alleging fraud of social services. These cases have reportedly drawn the focus of former President Trump and resulted in anti-immigrant comments from him specifically about Somalis. Notably, Minnesota is home to the largest 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 companies suspected of hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “investigating these fraud cases”. He commended Secretary Noem for leading 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 “conflict that’s being waged against Minnesota”.

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

The governor's forceful condemnation highlights the significant political rift between state and federal authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.