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The federal government has dispatched a fresh wave of immigration enforcement agents to the state of Minnesota, representing an intensification in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the state and its immigrant populations.

Operation Details Announced by Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that it is “surging to Minneapolis to root out fraud, arrest 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 biggest immigration operation 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 sending 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.

Operation Metro Surge and Local Fallout

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the agency's enforcement push in Minnesota has been underway since the start of last month. In reaction, community members have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and attempting to block deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly avoided public life, skipping 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 sought for murder in his nation of origin.

Political Context: High-Profile Cases and Rhetoric

This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is grappling with several high-profile cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have allegedly captured the focus of former President Trump and led to xenophobic comments from him targeting Somalis. It is worth noting, 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 “going door to door” to businesses allegedly hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “investigating these fraud cases”. He praised 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 labeled the federal surge “outrageous” and part of a “conflict that’s being fought against Minnesota”.

“I don’t think 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 doesn’t care about the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz

The state's strong condemnation highlights the deep division between state and federal authorities over this intensifying enforcement initiative.