Two thousand federal agents swarm Minneapolis, transforming Minnesota’s Twin Cities into ground zero for America’s fiercest immigration crackdown yet, what scandals ignited this unprecedented invasion?
Story Snapshot
- Trump administration deploys up to 2,000 ICE and HSI agents to Minneapolis-St. Paul for 30-day enforcement surge targeting deportations and fraud.
- Operation builds on Operation Metro Surge’s 700 arrests, focusing on immigrants with deportation orders amid billions in welfare fraud losses.
- Minnesota’s Somali communities face heightened scrutiny tied to Feeding Our Future scandal with over 90 charged since 2021.
- Federal actions override state resistance, freezing $185 million in child care funds despite Gov. Walz’s audits.
- Unprecedented scale rivals entire state workforces, signaling national precedent for urban crackdowns.
Federal Deployment Targets Twin Cities Fraud Hotspot
ICE and Homeland Security Investigations deploy roughly 2,000 agents to Minneapolis-St. Paul starting early January 2026. Commander Gregory Bovino leads hundreds from HSI, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Special Response Teams, and U.S. Border Patrol. Up to 600 HSI agents and 1,500 ICE ERO officers rotate through over 30 days. This surge follows Operation Metro Surge’s nearly 700 arrests by December 2025, zeroing in on immigrants with deportation orders, including Somalis.
Recent HSI canvassing hits businesses while ICE arrests sweep immigrant neighborhoods, sparking protests. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirms operations nabbed over 1,000 serious criminals nationwide. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem appears in the Twin Cities as enforcement intensifies.
Federal focus links deportations to massive fraud in Minnesota’s federal programs. The Feeding Our Future scandal alone siphoned billions from nutrition aid since 2021, leading to 90-plus indictments. Networks exploited pandemic-era vulnerabilities in housing, child care, and stabilization programs, often tied to immigrant communities.
Minnesota’s Fraud Scandals Fuel National Crackdown
Federal inspections ramped up in December 2025 across dozens of Minneapolis sites. A viral video by YouTuber Nick Shirley alleged fraud at Somali-run child care centers. State inspections rejected those claims, but Trump cited Somalia in justifying mass deportations, calling communities “garbage” that “contribute nothing.”
Gov. Tim Walz responds with audits, a fraud-prevention council, and a program-integrity director. Yet DHS freezes $185 million in child care funds. Walz warns of harm to businesses and families, meeting Sen. Amy Klobuchar amid tensions post-2024 election where he ran as VP nominee. Walz announces no third-term bid as operations unfold.
CAIR-Minnesota’s Jaylani Hussein decries stigma against Somalis, arguing fraud generalizations unfairly target groups. DHS counters by prioritizing “murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members.” Facts align with conservative priorities: fiscal accountability demands recovering billions while securing borders against transnational crime.
Power Clash Between Feds and State Leaders
Twin Cities host Minnesota’s large Somali-American population. Federal override of state efforts escalates post-election rift between Republican administration and Democratic leaders. Bovino’s prior roundups in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and New Orleans set precedents for urban surges.
Short-term fallout includes protests, community fear, and business disruptions from canvassing. Long-term risks mass deportations, eroded program trust, and political shifts. Economic wins promise billions recovered; social costs raise discrimination claims. Nationwide, stricter welfare oversight follows, with Minneapolis dubbed “the new Chicago.”
Former law enforcement officials hail the “massive resource allocation” as unprecedented, matching Arizona’s entire HSI workforce. State officials insist third-party reviews suffice. Cross-verified reports from officials and court records affirm high credibility, though exact agent counts range “roughly” to “up to” 2,000.
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2,000 federal agents deploying to Minneapolis in immigration crackdown, fraud probe
