ICE Floods Minneapolis In Major Operation Targeting Illegal Somali Migrants

The Trump administration launched an aggressive new phase of its immigration enforcement campaign Wednesday, deploying more than 100 ICE agents to Minneapolis to pursue illegal Somali immigrants.

According to multiple reports cited by the New York Post on Wednesday, the intensified operation is aimed at up to 500 Somalis living in the country unlawfully in Minneapolis, which houses the nation’s largest Somali population — estimated at more than 80,000 residents.

The move comes on the heels of revelations that scammers within the Somali migrant community perpetrated extensive fraud that cost Minnesota taxpayers roughly $1 billion, according to the state’s Department of Human Services. The scheme unfolded under the watch of Gov. Tim Walz, prompting widespread outrage.

During a White House cabinet meeting Tuesday, President Donald Trump sharply criticized Somali illegal immigrants, stating, “I don’t want them in our country,” and describing Somalia, one of the world’s poorest nations, as a place that “stinks.” He also took aim at Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who was born in Somalia, calling her “garbage.”

Homeland Security officials, however, maintained that the enforcement surge is not singling out ethnic groups. A DHS statement noted that the operation has expanded to include increased ICE activity in New Orleans as well.

“Every day, ICE enforces the laws of the nation across the country. What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally. We do not discuss future or potential operations,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Wednesday as the Minneapolis operation was reportedly underway.