🔗 Share this article Trump Administration Intensifies Attack on The North Star State with Additional Immigration Agents The national administration has deployed additional immigration officials to the state of Minnesota, marking an escalation in its campaign and rhetoric targeting the region and its sizable immigrant populations. Federal Surge Announced by Homeland Security 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 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 underway right now”. “Our agency has the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, ICE Acting Director News accounts indicate the federal government is sending another two thousand agents, from both ICE and HSI, into the state for a 30-day period. While the ICE official did not verify that specific figure, he described it as a combined operation from both agencies. DHS declined to specify a number but acknowledged it had “surged law enforcement” resources. The Crackdown Effort and Local Fallout 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, engaging in protests and attempting to block deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly avoided public life, forgoing trips to grocery stores or medical care due to apprehension of being detained. The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, is believed to be personally involved 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: Fraud Allegations and Comments This fixation on Minnesota occurs as the state is dealing with several high-profile cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have allegedly captured the focus of former President Trump and resulted in anti-immigrant 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 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 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 press conference, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz labeled the federal surge “outrageous” and part of a “war that’s being fought against Minnesota”. “I don’t think 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 state's forceful criticism underscores the deep division between state and federal authorities over this escalating enforcement initiative.