The Trump administration has ramped up its aggressive stance against Minnesota, sending a significant increase in immigration agents to the state as part of what officials describe as the agency's largest operation to date. The move is aimed at rooting out fraud and removing undocumented immigrants accused of committing crimes.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), nearly 100% of the Twin Cities are now under surveillance, with agents going door-to-door to investigate suspected cases of hiring undocumented workers. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons claimed that this operation is the largest ever undertaken by the agency, with hundreds more agents expected to join in the coming days.
The Department of Homeland Security has also confirmed the surge, stating that it aims to root out fraud and arrest perpetrators while removing those deemed "criminal illegal aliens". Secretary Kristi Noem can be seen in a video produced by DHS apprehending an Ecuadorian man wanted for murder back in his home country, highlighting the administration's focus on high-profile cases.
This escalation comes as Minnesota grapples with several allegations of social services fraud, which have caught the attention of President Trump. The state is home to the largest Somali population in the US, but most Somalis are US citizens. This has sparked xenophobic comments from Trump about Somalis.
Governor Tim Walz has dismissed the surge as "ridiculous" and part of a broader attack on Minnesota by the federal government. He warned that his state is under siege like never before, with the administration's actions fueling fear among immigrant communities who are staying away from public life out of concern for deportation.
The move has been met with resistance from community members who have taken to protesting and impeding deportations. Critics argue that this aggressive approach only serves to drive immigrants further underground, rather than encouraging them to come forward and report suspected wrongdoing.
As the situation in Minnesota continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this escalation will play out. One thing is clear, however: the Trump administration's hardline stance on immigration has reached a fever pitch, with far-reaching consequences for communities across the country.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), nearly 100% of the Twin Cities are now under surveillance, with agents going door-to-door to investigate suspected cases of hiring undocumented workers. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons claimed that this operation is the largest ever undertaken by the agency, with hundreds more agents expected to join in the coming days.
The Department of Homeland Security has also confirmed the surge, stating that it aims to root out fraud and arrest perpetrators while removing those deemed "criminal illegal aliens". Secretary Kristi Noem can be seen in a video produced by DHS apprehending an Ecuadorian man wanted for murder back in his home country, highlighting the administration's focus on high-profile cases.
This escalation comes as Minnesota grapples with several allegations of social services fraud, which have caught the attention of President Trump. The state is home to the largest Somali population in the US, but most Somalis are US citizens. This has sparked xenophobic comments from Trump about Somalis.
Governor Tim Walz has dismissed the surge as "ridiculous" and part of a broader attack on Minnesota by the federal government. He warned that his state is under siege like never before, with the administration's actions fueling fear among immigrant communities who are staying away from public life out of concern for deportation.
The move has been met with resistance from community members who have taken to protesting and impeding deportations. Critics argue that this aggressive approach only serves to drive immigrants further underground, rather than encouraging them to come forward and report suspected wrongdoing.
As the situation in Minnesota continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this escalation will play out. One thing is clear, however: the Trump administration's hardline stance on immigration has reached a fever pitch, with far-reaching consequences for communities across the country.