Washington/Minneapolis – U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Monday, January 19, 2026, that federal agents have arrested more than 10,000 undocumented migrants described as "criminal illegal aliens" in the Minneapolis area as part of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement operations.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) and echoed in official DHS releases, Secretary Noem declared: “PEACE AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNEAPOLIS! We have arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal aliens who were killing Americans, hurting children and reigning terror in Minneapolis because Tim Walz and Jacob Frey refuse to protect their own people and instead protect criminals.”
Noem specifically highlighted that, over the past six weeks, DHS law enforcement—including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—had made 3,000 arrests under "Operation Metro Surge," a targeted initiative focusing on Minneapolis and surrounding areas. The operation prioritizes individuals with criminal records, including convictions for murder, rape, assault, gang activity, fraud, and other serious offenses. DHS officials emphasized that the arrests target "the worst of the worst," with recent examples including violent encounters where suspects allegedly assaulted officers.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis, a self-declared sanctuary jurisdiction where local law enforcement limits cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have faced repeated criticism from the Trump administration for policies perceived as shielding undocumented immigrants. Noem accused the Democratic leaders of failing residents by not honoring over 1,360 ICE detainers for criminal suspects, allowing dangerous individuals to remain in communities.
Minneapolis has emerged as a major flashpoint in the national immigration debate since early January 2026, when the Trump administration escalated enforcement efforts in the region. The surge followed President Donald Trump's inauguration and promises to launch the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Thousands of ICE agents, Border Patrol personnel, and other federal officers were deployed to Minnesota, focusing on sanctuary cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The crackdown intensified following a high-profile incident on January 7, 2026, when ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, an American citizen, mother of three, and award-winning poet. Good was killed during an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis. According to reports, emergency call logs, witness accounts, and video footage showed the shooting occurred through her car window amid a confrontation involving federal agents. Good's wife, Becca Good, released a statement expressing profound grief and calling for accountability.
The incident sparked widespread outrage, protests, and demands for investigations at local, state, and federal levels. Advocacy groups, including the MacArthur Justice Center, condemned the killing as unjustified, while public opinion polls indicated a majority of Americans viewed the shooting as inappropriate. The Department of Justice declined to pursue a federal investigation into the agent, further fueling controversy.
In response, Mayor Frey publicly denounced the federal presence, urging ICE agents to "get the f**k out of Minneapolis" and describing the operations as an "invasion" that made residents feel unsafe. Governor Walz mobilized elements of the Minnesota National Guard in anticipation of unrest but has not deployed them to streets. Both leaders have rejected accusations of impeding federal law enforcement, framing their stance as protecting community trust and constitutional rights.
The Trump administration has countered aggressively. The Justice Department opened a criminal probe into Walz and Frey, alleging potential conspiracy to obstruct federal immigration enforcement through public statements and local policies. Critics, including legal analysts, have called the investigation politically motivated and questioned its legal viability.
DHS officials have released details of specific arrests to underscore their focus on public safety threats. In one recent case, three undocumented individuals allegedly assaulted an ICE officer with weapons—including a shovel and broom handle—during an attempted evasion, prompting the officer to fire a defensive shot. All three were taken into custody, with the officer and one suspect hospitalized.
Noem has personally participated in enforcement actions, joining ICE agents on the ground in early January to observe operations targeting high-priority criminal aliens. She announced additional ICE resources would be allocated to Minneapolis to sustain momentum.
The operation has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters praise it as restoring law and order in communities affected by crime linked to undocumented individuals. Opponents, including immigrant rights groups and local Democrats, argue it terrorizes families, separates communities, and diverts resources from genuine threats. Protests have erupted in Minneapolis, with some turning chaotic, including incidents where demonstrators stormed churches offering sanctuary.
Minneapolis's Somali-American community and other immigrant populations have reported heightened fear, with schools noting attendance drops and businesses experiencing disruptions. The city, long a hub for refugees and immigrants, has seen its sanctuary policies tested under federal pressure.
As the crackdown continues, DHS reports steady progress in removing criminal aliens, with thousands in removal proceedings. The administration vows to expand similar operations nationwide, targeting other sanctuary jurisdictions.
The Minneapolis surge highlights deep divisions over immigration policy in the early months of President Trump's second term, pitting federal authority against state and local resistance amid ongoing debates about public safety, due process, and civil rights.
