United States Federal authorities say more than 1,000 people have been arrested in Minnesota following a large-scale law enforcement surge aimed at tackling serious crime and fraud.
The Department of Homeland Security said the operation began after additional federal agents were deployed to the state, with Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin saying the arrests include individuals accused or convicted of violent and sexual offences, as well as gang-related crimes.
Officials said those taken into custody include foreign nationals with long-standing final removal orders who were previously convicted of offences such as robbery, rape, sexual abuse of children, assault and false imprisonment.
DHS confirmed that around 2,000 federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations have been sent to the Twin Cities area as part of a 30-day operation overseen in coordination with Customs and Border Protection.
The enforcement push comes amid heightened scrutiny of Minnesota following the exposure of large-scale fraud cases that have already led to dozens of prosecutions. Homeland Security said the operation is focused on identifying, arresting and removing individuals involved in serious criminal activity and fraud, describing the effort as a necessary response to ongoing public safety concerns in the state.
🇺🇸 ICE CRACKDOWN IN MINNESOTA: OVER 500 ARRESTS TO START 2026
A sweeping immigration enforcement campaign is underway in Minnesota as part of “Operation Metro Surge,” with ICE arresting hundreds of undocumented individuals across the state.
More than 500 arrests have already… https://t.co/Ir1AqAGRIm pic.twitter.com/lEq4Efwg6I
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 2, 2026
Window dressing
The equivalent of an ant on an elephants rear end
The US is beyond reprieve
A bridge too far
Yes they need to get serious about this
Not reactionary
But proactive if they are to be taken seriously