The Trump administration is rolling out an aggressive ICE operation in Minnesota’s Twin Cities this week, zeroing in on undocumented Somali nationals with final deportation orders — because yes, enforcing immigration law is still a thing, no matter how badly some wish it weren’t. According to an official and internal documents reviewed by The New York Times, the operation will deploy “strike teams” of federal officers into Minneapolis and St. Paul, bringing in roughly 100 agents from across the country. Apparently, when the job needs to get done, you bring in the people who will actually do it.
This push comes right after the White House highlighted a major taxpayer-fraud scandal tied to members of Minnesota’s Somali community. Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin reminded everyone — in case common sense is now controversial — that ICE targets individuals based on their unlawful status, not their race or ethnicity. Imagine that: the law applying to people who break it.
The enforcement directive arrives as President Trump has turned up the pressure regarding the Somali community in the U.S., with the primary focus on those who already have final removal orders. Others with pending cases may also be detained — which, shockingly, is what happens when you’re in the country illegally. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz rushed to call the plan an “indiscriminately targeting” stunt, which seems to be his default reaction anytime federal law enforcement does… well, anything.
“We welcome support in investigating and prosecuting crime. But pulling a PR stunt and indiscriminately targeting immigrants is not a real solution to a problem,” Walz posted on X. Because nothing says “leadership” like complaining while someone else handles the issue.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed out Monday that Somalis in Minneapolis had “ripped off American taxpayers,” citing a New York Times investigation into fraud within parts of the state’s Somali diaspora. The paper noted only a small group were convicted — but of course, the money still magically disappeared. Funny how that works.
According to the Times, the Twin Cities operation is part of a broader national enforcement surge, with recent ICE actions also taking place in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Charlotte. The administration argues that intensifying enforcement is essential to fulfilling Trump’s pledge to deport millions — and federal officials have also used large-scale deployments as a deterrent, discouraging migrants from illegally remaining in the country. Shocking concept: consequences.
Minneapolis and St. Paul maintain policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, but those limits are being tested. Recent actions include a June operation near downtown Minneapolis that clashed with protesters, and a mid-November Saint Paul raid resulting in 14 arrests, according to the Times.
At the end of the day, the mission is clear: enforce the law, protect taxpayers, and restore order — exactly the kind of leadership Americans deserve.
