DHS launches massive immigration crackdown in Minnesota after Somali fraud probe

Federal immigration authorities have launched what the Department of Homeland Security described as its largest enforcement operation to date in Minnesota, following a major welfare fraud investigation in the state.

“GOOD MORNING MINNEAPOLIS!” DHS posted Tuesday morning on X, announcing the operation. “The largest DHS operation ever is happening right now in Minnesota. President Donald Trump and Kristi Noem have rallied DHS law enforcement personnel to keep Americans safe and ERADICATE fraud. We’re not leaving until the problem is solved.”

In a statement to The Hill, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the department “has already made more than 1,000 arrests of murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and gang members.”

“While for the safety of our officers we do not get into law enforcement footprint, DHS has surged law enforcement,” McLaughlin added.

While DHS has not confirmed the total number of agents involved, CNN and CBS News reported that roughly 2,000 Homeland Security personnel are expected to be deployed as part of the operation.

The enforcement surge follows an ongoing welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota that has drawn international attention. The massive controversy played a big roll in to Tim Walz’s recent announcement that he will not seek reelection. The Trump administration has blamed members of the state’s Somali population for the widespread fraud and has warned that citizenship could be revoked for those found to be involved.

On Tuesday, Noem shared video footage of an arrest in Minneapolis, claiming the suspect was in the country illegally and wanted abroad. “Another murderer and sexual predator off of Minneapolis’s streets thanks to @ICEgov,” Noem wrote, adding that the individual had “an active warrant for murder and sexual assault in Ecuador.”