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The federal government has dispatched additional immigration enforcement agents to the state of Minnesota, representing an intensification in its rhetoric and actions targeting the region and its sizable immigrant communities.

Operation Details Announced by Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that it is “surging to Minneapolis to eradicate fraud, arrest perpetrators and remove 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 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

News accounts indicate the federal government is sending another two thousand agents, from both ICE and HSI, into the state for a one-month period. While the ICE official 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.

Operation Metro Surge and Community Impact

Dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the federal crackdown in the state has been ongoing since the start of last month. In response, local residents have pushed back against ICE, engaging in protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have allegedly stayed away from public life, forgoing trips to grocery stores or medical care due to apprehension of being apprehended.

The top DHS official, Kristi Noem, appears 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.

Political Context: High-Profile Cases and Rhetoric

This focus on Minnesota comes while the state is grappling with several high-profile cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have reportedly drawn 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 added that officers have been “going door to door” to businesses suspected of hiring undocumented people and that some agents would be “investigating these fraud cases”. He praised Secretary Noem for running an “awesome, successful operation” in Minneapolis and framed the effort as fighting against sanctuary policies in places like Minnesota.

Governor's Rebuke

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

“In my view, any state 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 state's strong condemnation underscores the significant political rift between Minnesota and Washington authorities over this intensifying crackdown.