Recent immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis led to the arrest of 12 individuals, predominantly targeting the local Somali community. However, of those detained, only five are Somali nationals, and the others include six Mexican nationals and one from El Salvador.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced these arrests as part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by the Trump administration, which has intensified operations in areas with significant immigrant populations. Minneapolis-St. Paul, known for its large Somali community, is one of the latest cities affected by this initiative, following similar actions in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina. There are reported plans for further immigration enforcement in New Orleans, potentially targeting up to 5,000 individuals.
ICE described the arrested individuals as some of the “worst of the worst” involving criminal activities, including assault and domestic violence. Eight of those detained had faced criminal charges or convictions.
Local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have openly criticized these enforcement actions, expressing concern for the safety and rights of immigrants. Frey has asserted that the city's police department would not collaborate with federal immigration enforcement, emphasizing a commitment to protecting the local Somali community.
The rhetoric surrounding this crackdown has been fueled by President Donald Trump's comments targeting Somali immigrants, describing them as 'garbage' and suggesting they contribute nothing to society. This has exacerbated the tensions between federal policies and local governance, as state officials caution that such indiscriminate actions can endanger the well-being of citizens and tarnish community safety.
In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Mayor Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of failing to enforce immigration laws effectively, framing their approach as detrimental to public safety.
