Federal Immigration Crackdown in Minneapolis Targets Somali Community

Sat Dec 06 2025 00:47:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent ICE operation in Minneapolis has led to the arrest of 12 individuals, including those from Mexico and El Salvador, in a controversial crackdown mainly affecting the Somali immigrant community.

Federal immigration agents have arrested a dozen individuals in Minneapolis amid an operation primarily focused on Somali immigrants. Of the 12 arrested, only five are Somali. The operation, criticized by local officials, follows a pattern of deportations initiated under the Trump administration. ICE claims many of those detained are serious criminals, sparking further debate about immigration policies and community safety.

Federal agents have arrested a dozen people in Minneapolis since launching an enforcement operation this week primarily focused on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S., but fewer than half of those detained are Somali.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Thursday that agents had apprehended 12 individuals. Of those, six are Mexican nationals, five are from Somalia, and one is from El Salvador.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul area, home to the largest Somali community in the United States, is now one of the latest targets of the federal government's aggressive immigration enforcement actions, which have previously occurred in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Additionally, immigration authorities have also expanded their operations to New Orleans, where they intend to detain up to 5,000 individuals.

According to ICE, the 12 arrested individuals include some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Eight of those detained had been charged or convicted of various crimes, such as assault, fraud, domestic violence, and driving under the influence.

In a recent statement, President Donald Trump explicitly singled out Somali immigrants in public remarks, labeling them as garbage and asserting that they contribute nothing to the country. He further criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, alleging that the state has allowed fraudulent activities within government programs, which he claimed were funneled to a Somali militant group.

This crackdown has sparked intense backlash from local leaders and organizations advocating for immigrant rights. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that city police would not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts. In response, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the mayor and governor for not reinforcing immigration laws, suggesting that such inaction endangers public safety.