The largest federal immigration enforcement surge in recent memory has descended upon Minneapolis, with nearly 2,000 agents creating what officials describe as an unprecedented law enforcement operation that makes the Twin Cities “the new Chicago” for federal crackdowns.
Story Highlights
- Up to 2,000 ICE and HSI agents deployed to Minneapolis for 30-day immigration and fraud enforcement surge
- Operation targets deportations while investigating billions in federal program fraud, particularly in Somali communities
- Deployment follows Operation Metro Surge that resulted in nearly 700 arrests by December 2025
- Federal agents freeze $185 million in child care funds amid ongoing fraud investigations
- Scale equivalent to Arizona’s entire HSI workforce concentrated in single metropolitan area
Federal Forces Converge on Twin Cities
The Trump administration launched its most aggressive immigration enforcement operation by deploying approximately 2,000 agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations to Minneapolis-St. Paul. The 30-day surge involves hundreds of HSI agents, 1,500 ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers, Special Response Teams, and U.S. Border Patrol units under Commander Gregory Bovino’s leadership. This massive federal presence represents a rotation system that could exceed 2,000 total personnel throughout the operation.
The deployment builds upon Operation Metro Surge from late 2025, which resulted in nearly 700 arrests focusing primarily on immigrants with existing deportation orders. Recent weeks witnessed increased HSI business canvassing and ICE arrests in immigrant neighborhoods, prompting community protests and heightened tensions. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the surge has contributed to over 1,000 arrests nationwide of what she characterized as “murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and gang members.”
Fraud Scandals Fuel Federal Response
Minnesota’s history of massive federal program fraud provides the backdrop for this enforcement surge. The state has faced scrutiny since 2021 over the Feeding Our Future scandal, which involved billions in fraudulent nutrition aid claims and resulted in over 90 indictments and convictions. Additional schemes have targeted housing assistance, child care programs, and COVID-related stabilization funds, creating what federal officials describe as a pattern of transnational crime and welfare abuse.
A viral video by YouTuber Nick Shirley alleged widespread fraud at Somali-run child care centers, though state inspections rejected these specific claims. Nevertheless, the federal response has intensified, with DHS freezing $185 million in child care funds while investigations continue. The administration has directly linked these enforcement actions to President Trump’s repeated statements characterizing Somali immigrants as contributing nothing while exploiting American generosity.
Political Tensions Escalate
The federal crackdown has created significant political friction between the Trump administration and Minnesota’s Democratic leadership. Governor Tim Walz, who served as the 2024 vice presidential nominee, met with Senator Amy Klobuchar to coordinate the state’s response while warning of potential harm to legitimate program users and local businesses. The timing appears particularly pointed, coming as Walz announced he would not seek a third gubernatorial term.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s presence in the Twin Cities during the ongoing operation signals broader Republican support for the enforcement actions. The administration’s strategy combines deportation efforts with fraud investigations, creating what critics describe as collective punishment of immigrant communities while supporters frame it as necessary accountability for systematic abuse of federal programs.
Community Impact and Resistance
The massive federal presence has generated fear and protests within Minneapolis’s substantial Somali-American population. CAIR-Minnesota’s Jaylani Hussein warns that generalizing fraud cases to stigmatize entire communities represents a dangerous pattern that undermines civil rights and community trust. Legitimate program participants face disruption as the $185 million funding freeze affects families and businesses relying on child care assistance.
The operation’s unprecedented scale has law enforcement experts describing it as a “massive resource allocation” that signals the administration’s commitment to making examples of cities with significant immigrant populations. The 30-day timeline suggests this represents just the beginning of broader enforcement actions planned for other metropolitan areas with similar demographics and program vulnerabilities.
Sources:
2,000 federal agents deploying to Minneapolis in immigration crackdown – CBS News
Up to 2,000 fed’l agents deployed to Minnesota amid immigration crackdown: Report – TRT World
Noem twin cities federal immigration crackdown continues – MPR News
