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DHS Reports Over 4,000 Illegal Immigrants Arrested in Minnesota Operation
The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday that federal law enforcement officials have arrested more than 4,000 illegal immigrants in Minnesota since launching Operation Metro Surge in late 2025, marking a significant milestone in the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
“President Trump’s commonsense immigration enforcement policies are delivering the public safety results the American people demanded,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, characterizing many of those arrested as “dangerous criminal illegal aliens.”
Operation Metro Surge has focused primarily on the Twin Cities metropolitan area and broader Minnesota communities, targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records. The operation is part of the administration’s broader deportation initiative, which prioritizes individuals with violent offenses.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin highlighted several arrests made on Tuesday alone, including individuals from Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador with convictions ranging from sexual conduct with a minor to domestic assault, trespassing, and driving under the influence.
“Despite coordinated attacks of violence against our law enforcement, our officers have made more than 4,000 arrests of illegal aliens including murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists in Minnesota since Operation Metro Surge began,” McLaughlin said in a statement.
The operation coincides with federal investigations into massive welfare and social services fraud schemes in Minnesota that have resulted in dozens of arrests, many involving members of the state’s Somali community. This dual focus on immigration enforcement and fraud investigation has significantly expanded federal presence in the region.
The heightened enforcement actions have not occurred without controversy. Protests have erupted across the Twin Cities, with some demonstrations turning chaotic. In one incident, protesters disrupted Sunday services at a local church. More seriously, two Americans have been fatally shot by federal law enforcement in separate incidents during protests, fueling criticism against the administration’s approach.
In January, President Trump deployed border czar Tom Homan to the Twin Cities following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents. Homan was tasked with continuing the operation while addressing growing tensions.
On Wednesday, Homan announced plans to withdraw approximately 700 law enforcement officers from the city as part of a “complete drawdown” of federal presence. This decision follows what officials describe as increasing cooperation from local authorities, particularly county jails that are now communicating with federal officials regarding illegal immigrants in custody.
“We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets,” Homan explained. “This is efficient, and it requires only one or two officers to assume custody of a criminal alien target, rather than eight or 10 officers going into the community and arresting that public safety threat.”
The White House characterized the drawdown as a strategic decision following the operation’s success. “At President Trump’s direction, Tom Homan’s commitment to draw down forces in Minneapolis today follows these achievements and the new, unprecedented cooperation from state and local officials in Minnesota,” Leavitt said.
Critics of the administration have expressed concerns about civil liberties and due process during large-scale immigration operations. However, administration officials maintain that targeting individuals with criminal records enhances public safety while addressing illegal immigration.
As federal forces begin their withdrawal from Minnesota, questions remain about the long-term sustainability of current enforcement levels and the effectiveness of coordination between federal and local authorities in handling immigration matters going forward.
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16 Comments
This crackdown on undocumented immigrants with criminal records sounds like a major effort. While public safety is critical, I hope the administration maintains a balanced, humane approach that respects due process and human dignity. The broader societal impacts should be carefully evaluated.
Agreed. Deporting violent offenders is understandable, but the administration must consider the nuances and potential ripple effects on families and communities. A targeted, fair-minded approach is crucial.
This large-scale immigration enforcement operation highlights the administration’s hardline stance. While addressing criminal activity is reasonable, I hope due process and human dignity are upheld. Overly broad deportations could have unintended social consequences.
Agreed, a balanced and humanitarian approach is crucial. Deporting violent offenders is one thing, but many undocumented immigrants are otherwise law-abiding members of their communities.
Thousands of arrests in Minnesota is a significant immigration enforcement action. I’d be interested to learn more about the specific charges and backgrounds of those targeted. A focus on public safety is understandable, but the broader impacts should be carefully considered.
Good point. The details around this operation will be important. Targeting violent criminals is reasonable, but overly broad deportations could have unintended consequences for families and communities.
Thousands of undocumented immigrant arrests in Minnesota is a significant immigration enforcement action. While public safety is paramount, I hope the administration maintains a measured, fair-minded approach that upholds due process and human dignity. The broader societal impacts should be carefully evaluated.
Well said. Deporting violent offenders is reasonable, but the administration must consider the nuances and potential ripple effects on families and communities. A balanced, humanitarian policy is important.
This seems like an aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants. While public safety is important, I hope due process and human rights are still respected. Deporting violent offenders is one thing, but many may have families and contribute to their communities.
I agree, the details matter here. We should be targeting dangerous criminals, not just anyone without documentation. Hopefully the administration maintains a balanced and humane approach.
This large-scale immigration crackdown in Minnesota is a major operation. I’m curious to know more about the specific charges and backgrounds of those arrested. Addressing public safety concerns is understandable, but the broader social implications should be thoughtfully considered.
Agreed, the details will be important context. A balanced, humane approach that respects due process is crucial, even as the administration targets criminal activity. Overly broad deportations could have unintended consequences for families and communities.
Apprehending thousands of undocumented immigrants with criminal records is a significant operation. I’m curious to know more about the specific charges and demographics of those arrested. A nuanced approach focused on public safety seems prudent.
Good point. The details on the charges and backgrounds of those arrested will be important context. A targeted crackdown on violent offenders is understandable, but the broader impacts should be considered carefully.
Thousands of arrests of undocumented immigrants in Minnesota is a significant escalation of immigration enforcement. While addressing criminal activity is reasonable, I’m concerned about the potential for overly broad deportations that could disrupt families and communities. A measured, humanitarian approach is important.
I share your concerns. Targeting violent offenders is sensible, but the broader impacts on law-abiding undocumented immigrants and their loved ones must be carefully weighed. Upholding due process and human rights should be paramount.