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In a significant escalation of immigration enforcement efforts, the Department of Homeland Security has announced that 400 arrests have been made as part of its “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The operation comes amid growing tensions between federal immigration authorities and state officials, including Governor Tim Walz.
According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the operation has targeted illegal immigrants with serious criminal histories. “Tim Walz and Jacob Frey failed to protect the people of Minnesota,” McLaughlin told Fox News Digital. “They let these monsters and child predators roam free.”
Among those arrested was Burmese national Ban Du La Sein, described as a top priority on the “worst of the worst” list. Sein was previously convicted of criminal sexual conduct using force or coercion in Nobles County, near the South Dakota border. Despite being under a removal order for more than a decade, he remained in the United States until this recent operation.
The sweep also netted Vannaleut Keomany, a Laotian immigrant convicted of two counts of rape in Ohio and sentenced to seven years in prison. Like Sein, Keomany had been under a removal order for years—dating back to 2009.
Several other individuals with serious criminal backgrounds were apprehended, including Liban Ali Osman, a Somali national convicted of robbery in Ohio, and Somvang Phrachansiry from Laos, who had convictions for third-degree criminal sexual conduct and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Another Laotian national, Por Moua, had accumulated sentences exceeding twelve years for crimes including first-degree great bodily harm, third-degree sexual conduct, and sexual intercourse with a child.
The operation has sparked political controversy in Minnesota. Governor Walz recently urged DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to review the arrests, expressing concern about reports that U.S. citizens were being caught up in the raids. Walz specifically highlighted the case of a woman named “Sue” who was allegedly detained, though DHS has countered that this individual was arrested for assaulting a federal officer.
“Minnesotans have long valued civic engagement, and detaining citizens for lawfully exercising those rights or going about their daily lives sends a deeply disturbing message,” Walz said in a statement. He called on Noem to “respect the constitution” and ensure operations are conducted lawfully.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has also criticized the federal operations. At a Tuesday press conference, Frey mentioned receiving reports of “incidents in which federal agents were involved in some form of activity,” adding that “in many cases, those activities are largely built around terrorizing people.”
The day after Frey’s comments, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced it had arrested eight Somali immigrants as part of the ongoing operation, according to local media reports.
The enforcement action comes at a sensitive time, as Minnesota is also dealing with a separate fraud scandal involving the Twin Cities’ Somali community. This confluence of events has intensified scrutiny of both immigration enforcement tactics and state oversight of programs where fraud has been alleged.
The situation highlights the ongoing national tension between federal immigration enforcement priorities and local government concerns about community impact and constitutional protections. While federal authorities emphasize the criminal backgrounds of those targeted, state and local officials worry about potential civil rights violations and community trust.
Neither Governor Walz nor Mayor Frey responded to requests for comment on the latest developments in the operation, which appears to be continuing as part of broader immigration enforcement efforts in the region.
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5 Comments
It’s good that the authorities were able to apprehend individuals with serious criminal histories. However, the tension between federal and state officials is troubling. I hope they can find a way to work together effectively on these sensitive issues.
Removing dangerous criminals from our communities is important, but the way it’s done matters. I’m curious to know more about the specific allegations against the state officials and whether there were any concerns about civil liberties or due process during the operation.
It’s concerning to hear about the alleged failures of state officials to protect the public. However, we should be cautious about making broad claims without a full understanding of the complex issues involved. I hope all parties will work towards a constructive solution.
This is a concerning situation. While enforcement of immigration laws is necessary, I hope the authorities conducted the operation in a lawful and humane manner. Targeting dangerous criminals is understandable, but we must balance security needs with respect for human rights.
Arresting 400 people in one operation is a significant action. I’m curious to know more about the specific criteria used to identify the targets and the procedures followed during the sweep. Transparency and accountability are important, especially on such a large-scale enforcement effort.