🔗 Share this article Trump Government Intensifies Attack on The North Star State with More Federal Agents The national administration has dispatched additional immigration officials to the state of Minnesota, marking an escalation in its campaign and rhetoric against the region and its sizable immigrant populations. Operation Details Confirmed by DHS The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed on social media that it is “surging to Minneapolis to eradicate fraud, arrest perpetrators and deport criminal illegal aliens”. The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, told a news outlet that the agency has in the city “the biggest immigration crackdown ever underway right now”. “Our agency has the largest immigration operation ever taking place right now.” – Todd Lyons, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Official News accounts suggest the administration is sending another 2,000 agents, from both ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, into the state for a 30-day period. While the ICE official did not verify that specific figure, he called it a combined operation from both agencies. DHS would not confirm a number but stated it had “increased law enforcement” presence. The Crackdown Effort and Local Fallout Dubbed “Metro Surge,” the agency's enforcement push in Minnesota has been underway since the start of last month. In reaction, community members have fought back against ICE, organizing protests and impeding deportations. Meanwhile, some immigrants have reportedly avoided public life, forgoing trips to grocery stores or medical care due to apprehension of being detained. The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, appears 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 nation of origin. Broader Backdrop: High-Profile Cases and Comments This fixation on Minnesota comes while the state is grappling with several prominent cases alleging misuse of social services. These cases have reportedly captured the attention of former President Trump and resulted in anti-immigrant comments from him targeting Somalis. It is worth noting, Minnesota is home to the biggest 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 “conducting visits” to companies 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 framed the effort as fighting against sanctuary policies in places like Minnesota. State Leadership Response In a press conference, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the federal surge “ridiculous” and part of a “conflict that’s being fought against Minnesota”. “I don’t think 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 spiteful, malicious administration that doesn’t care about the well being of Minnesotans.” – Governor Tim Walz The governor's strong criticism underscores the significant political rift between state and federal authorities over this intensifying crackdown.