Federal agents have arrested twelve individuals in Minneapolis as part of an enforcement initiative aimed at combating unlawful immigration. Although the operation primarily focuses on Somali immigrants, it has come to light that less than half of those detained are actually of Somali descent.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the arrests included six Mexican nationals, five individuals from Somalia, and one from El Salvador. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area, noted for having the largest Somali community in the nation, has been increasingly scrutinized under the current administration, following similar operations in major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charlotte.
The operation has drawn intensive criticism from both local and state officials. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has voiced his opposition, stating that city police will refrain from partaking in federal immigration enforcement activities. As tensions rise, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin has blamed local leaders for not enforcing immigration laws, suggesting that their inaction endangers public safety.
ICE labeled some of those arrested as some of the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,” with eight having prior charges or convictions for offenses such as assault and fraud. This rhetoric has further fueled community outrage and prompted local leaders to double down on their commitment to protect the Somali community amidst increasing deportation threats.
Notably, President Trump has previously criticized Somali immigrants in public remarks, dismissing them as contributing negatively to society and blaming local officials for allowing what he describes as fraudulent activities involving Somali individuals. As this crackdown continues, the debate over immigration policy and the treatment of immigrant communities in the U.S. remains a contentious issue.
