DHS Launches Massive Immigration Crackdown, 2,000 Officers in Minnesota/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Homeland Security has launched its largest-ever immigration operation, deploying 2,000 officers to Minnesota. The operation targets alleged immigration violations and fraud, particularly within the Somali community. Governor Tim Walz and local leaders have condemned the surge, calling it politically driven.
Minnesota Immigration Operation Quick Looks
- Homeland Security deploys 2,000 officers to Minnesota for immigration crackdown
- Described as the largest enforcement action in DHS history
- Focus on immigration violations, fraud, and human smuggling
- Somali community and immigrant rights groups express fear and concern
- Arrests and investigations conducted across Minneapolis-St. Paul area
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem participated in at least one arrest
- Local officials criticize operation as politically motivated and uncoordinated
- Hilton drops hotel that denied service to federal agents
- Specialized DHS units and CBP personnel involved
- Trump ties operation to broader anti-fraud campaign targeting aid programs
DHS Launches Massive Immigration Crackdown, 2,000 Officers in Minnesota
Deep Look
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it is carrying out what it calls the largest immigration enforcement operation in its history, with approximately 2,000 federal agents and officers deployed to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in Minnesota. The massive operation is part of a broader crackdown on alleged immigration violations and fraud, particularly within the state’s large Somali immigrant population.
The announcement came via a post on X (formerly Twitter), with DHS stating, “The largest DHS operation ever is happening right now in Minnesota.” The statement signaled a dramatic escalation of federal enforcement efforts in the region, raising tensions among residents and local leaders.
According to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the plans, the federal personnel dispatched include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as well as investigative agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). These individuals are focusing on a combination of deportation arrests and investigations into fraud, human smuggling, and other criminal activity.
On Tuesday, immigrant advocacy organizations and local officials reported an uptick in sightings of ICE agents in St. Paul and other areas, including agents conducting traffic stops and entering businesses and apartment buildings. Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary, was present during at least one arrest. A video posted online shows her in tactical gear telling a detained Ecuadorian man that he would be “held accountable.” The man was reportedly wanted in Ecuador and Connecticut on charges including murder and sexual assault.
DHS stated that 150 individuals were arrested on Monday in Minneapolis alone, as the enforcement campaign gained momentum.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz strongly condemned the operation, accusing federal authorities of staging a public spectacle. “You’re seeing that we have a ridiculous surge of apparently 2,000 people not coordinating with us, that are for a show of cameras,” he said. Walz’s remarks came a day after announcing he would not seek a third term as governor.
The enforcement activity has alarmed many in Minnesota’s Somali community, the largest in the U.S. Tensions have been building for months, as the Trump administration has increasingly pointed to Somali individuals in high-profile fraud cases involving pandemic and nutrition aid programs.
St. Paul City Council member Molly Coleman described Tuesday’s events as “unlike any other day we’ve experienced,” noting the fear among residents and the disruptive impact of ICE’s presence. “What we know happens when ICE comes into a city, it’s an enforcement in which every single person is on guard and afraid,” she said.
Julia Decker, policy director at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, reported increased federal activity in parking lots and public spaces. Dieu Do of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee echoed those concerns, saying their response teams were tracking the surge.
The force deployed consists mainly of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division, which focuses on arrests and deportations. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations are also present, tasked with probing fraud and cross-border criminal operations. Tactical teams and personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including officials known for controversial tactics, have also joined the mission.
Part of the HSI teams’ job involves going door-to-door to investigate reports of illegal employment, document fraud, and smuggling activities. While the operation’s full duration remains unclear, federal officials indicated it may evolve depending on the circumstances and findings.
Adding to the controversy, Hilton Hotels announced it had removed a Minnesota Hampton Inn from its network after the property canceled reservations for federal agents. The hotel, located in Lakeville near Minneapolis, had initially apologized and attempted to resolve the situation. Hilton later said the hotel failed to meet its standards.
Federal enforcement in the Minneapolis region has been increasing since late 2025, with top officials, including Secretary Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel, pushing for a stronger response to alleged fraud schemes. Trump has personally linked the immigration crackdown to the misuse of federal aid programs during the pandemic, often citing Somali-American suspects in public remarks.
Critics argue that the operation is not just about enforcement but also a calculated political move. Community leaders and advocacy groups have called for transparency and cooperation between federal and local authorities. The lack of advance notice and the scale of the deployment have only intensified skepticism.
Civil liberties organizations and some Democratic lawmakers fear the operation could lead to racial profiling, community fear, and legal overreach. They have warned that the presence of tactical agents and lack of clarity about the operation’s legal basis could damage trust in law enforcement among immigrant communities.
Despite these criticisms, DHS has maintained that the operation is lawful, targeted, and focused on individuals posing public safety threats or violating federal laws.
The situation remains fluid, with further actions expected in the coming days. For now, Minnesota finds itself at the center of a high-profile national debate on immigration enforcement, federal authority, and community safety.
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