Minnesota Officials Reject DHS Claim on ICE Detainers/ newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Minnesota Department of Corrections has denied allegations from the Department of Homeland Security that the state has failed to comply with federal immigration detainers, releasing hundreds of undocumented individuals with criminal records. DHS insists over 1,300 illegal immigrants are in state custody and blames Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey for promoting anti-ICE resistance. Minnesota officials call the claims “categorically false” and demand clarification from the federal agency.
Minnesota Rejects DHS Accusation Over ICE Detainer Compliance: Quick Looks
- Minnesota DOC strongly denied DHS claims that the state released 470 criminal non-citizens.
- DHS accused officials of failing to honor over 1,300 ICE detainers in state custody.
- DOC says only 207 non-U.S. citizens are in the state’s 8,000-person prison population.
- In 2025, 84 individuals with ICE detainers were released with prior notification to ICE.
- DHS claims Governor Walz and Mayor Frey are encouraging organized resistance to ICE.
- Mayor Frey has banned federal ICE operations on city property via executive order.
- DHS is reportedly investigating Walz and Frey for obstructing law enforcement.
- State Attorney General Keith Ellison issued an opinion limiting ICE detainer authority.
- The controversy intensifies following a fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis.
- Minnesota officials argue the DHS data does not match state records or realities.
Deep Look: Minnesota Corrections Officials Refute DHS Allegations Over ICE Detainers
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A political and legal firestorm has erupted between Minnesota state officials and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over claims that state authorities have refused to honor federal ICE immigration detainers, allegedly allowing hundreds of undocumented immigrants with criminal records to re-enter the community.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) issued a sharp rebuke this week, calling the allegations “categorically false” and “unsupported by facts.”
At the center of the dispute is a DHS statement accusing Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of overseeing policies that led to the release of nearly 470 criminal illegal immigrants—and further alleging that more than 1,360 detainers remain unaddressed across jurisdictions in Minnesota.
Minnesota DOC Calls DHS Allegations “Deeply Irresponsible”
In a Thursday press release, the Minnesota DOC addressed the controversy directly.
“The Minnesota Department of Corrections honors all federal and local detainers, including those issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement read.
According to the DOC, the state’s prison population currently sits at about 8,000, of which only 207 individuals—less than 3%—are non-U.S. citizens.
They also revealed that in 2025, 84 individuals with ICE detainers were released, but emphasized that in every case, ICE was notified in advance, and state officials coordinated with federal agents to facilitate transfer when requested.
DOC officials questioned the DHS’s methodology, stating:
“DHS did not identify which jurisdictions, systems, or timeframes were relied upon to produce its figures. The numbers presented by DHS do not align with DOC records or reflect the operational reality of Minnesota’s correctional system.”
Trump Administration Accuses State of Encouraging Resistance
Despite Minnesota’s pushback, DHS is doubling down on its accusations. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin asserted that Governor Walz and Mayor Frey are “actively encouraging an organized resistance to ICE and federal law enforcement officers.”
“Across the state of Minnesota, nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens, including violent offenders, have been released into communities,” McLaughlin said. “We are once again calling on Governor Walz and his fellow sanctuary politicians to commit to honoring all ICE detainers.”
McLaughlin’s remarks add to a broader federal campaign targeting so-called sanctuary policies in states and cities that limit cooperation with ICE and DHS enforcement actions.
ICE Shooting Sparks Local-Federal Tensions
Tensions were already high following the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month during a federal ICE operation. The incident sparked renewed protests and led to Mayor Frey’s explosive comments.
“Get the f— out,” Frey reportedly told ICE officials during the fallout from the shooting.
Governor Walz also weighed in, telling the Trump administration to “leave Minnesota alone.”
In response, Mayor Frey issued an executive order prohibiting ICE from using any city-owned property for operations. City leaders also passed a “separation ordinance” designed to strengthen protections for undocumented residents by restricting local cooperation with federal immigration agents.
Legal Landscape: AG Keith Ellison Weighs In
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a formal opinion earlier this year asserting that state law bars law enforcement from detaining individuals solely on civil ICE detainers, unless a judicial warrant is issued.
This legal interpretation further complicates DHS’s argument, which depends on state and local officials voluntarily holding individuals beyond their release dates for ICE pickup—a practice critics say raises constitutional concerns.
Federal Probe Reportedly Underway
Adding to the drama, two federal sources confirmed that prosecutors are investigating whether Governor Walz and Mayor Frey have unlawfully impeded ICE operations. While the investigation is still in its early stages, sources told Fox News Digital that it could lead to potential criminal charges, depending on what the evidence reveals.
Such charges would be rare and highly controversial, raising significant constitutional questions about state-federal authority and immigration enforcement jurisdiction.
Broader National Context
This latest skirmish in Minnesota is part of a larger national conflict over immigration enforcement, with the Trump administration pushing hardline policies amid a surge in border-related concerns and calls for mass deportations.
The issue is also rapidly becoming a defining wedge in the 2026 midterm elections, with Republicans warning of national security risks posed by sanctuary jurisdictions, and Democrats emphasizing due process and community trust in law enforcement.
Minnesota Maintains Its Position
Despite growing pressure, Minnesota state officials continue to insist they are following the law and coordinating with federal authorities where appropriate.
“We believe DHS’s claims are not just misleading but harmful,” a DOC spokesperson told reporters. “They risk undermining public confidence and stoking division at a time when law enforcement cooperation should be rooted in facts, not politics.”
For now, the state awaits additional details from the federal government about how DHS compiled its figures. Meanwhile, the broader debate over how best to handle federal detainers and immigration enforcement continues to intensify in both courtrooms and campaign rallies.
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