Photo: Alamy
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that federal authorities have arrested more than 10,000 “criminal illegal aliens” in Minneapolis, as the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement and sharpens criticism of Minnesota’s Democratic leadership.
Noem said Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officers carried out the arrests, including about 3,000 in the past six weeks. She said those taken into custody include people convicted of violent crimes such as murder, rape and child sexual abuse.
“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 wrote in a statement.
“In the last 6 weeks, our brave DHS law enforcement have arrested 3,000 criminal illegal aliens including vicious murderers, rapists, child pedophiles and incredibly dangerous individuals. A HUGE victory for public safety,” she added.
Noem also alleged what she described as “massive fraud” in Minneapolis totaling at least $19 billion, saying Homeland Security Investigations agents have opened wide-ranging probes to recover funds and hold those responsible accountable.
“There is MASSIVE Fraud in Minneapolis, at least $19 billion and that’s just the tip of iceberg,” Noem continued. “Our Homeland Security Investigators are on the ground in Minneapolis conducting wide scale investigations to get justice for the American people who have been robbed blind.”
The announcement comes amid a high-profile federal enforcement surge in Minneapolis and St. Paul that has drawn national attention and legal challenges. According to people familiar with the matter, the Justice Department is investigating whether Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements.
Both Walz and Frey have criticized the investigation, calling it an act of intimidation. Walz’s office has said it was not notified in advance, while Frey has argued the probe is retaliation for his opposition to what he calls dangerous federal actions in the city.
The enforcement operation has also become increasingly confrontational, with clashes reported between federal agents and bystanders during arrests. A federal judge in Minneapolis recently barred DHS agents from arresting peaceful protesters who are not suspected of crimes or of obstructing officers, after residents alleged constitutional violations while observing or protesting immigration raids.