Executive Summary
- Approximately 2,000 federal agents from ICE and HSI are deploying to Minneapolis for a 30-day operation.
- The surge targets both immigration violations and massive fraud schemes involving federal funds.
- U.S. CBP Commander Gregory Bovino is helping lead the operation, which includes tactical response teams.
- Gov. Tim Walz announced he will not seek reelection amid the heightened federal scrutiny and fraud probes.
- HHS has frozen $185 million in child care payments to Minnesota due to ongoing fraud concerns.
The Trump administration has initiated a significant deployment of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel to the Minneapolis area, with plans involving approximately 2,000 agents and officers for a dual-pronged crackdown on immigration violations and financial fraud. The operation, which began on Sunday, marks a substantial escalation in federal law enforcement activity in the Twin Cities.
According to multiple law enforcement officials speaking to CBS News, the surge includes personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The 30-day operation is designed to investigate alleged fraud schemes while simultaneously enforcing immigration laws. Officials stated that this region is the first major target of the administration’s expanded enforcement strategy for the new year.
The operational command includes U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino, who is expected to lead the enforcement efforts alongside U.S. Border Patrol personnel. A former law enforcement official characterized the scale of the resource allocation as "extraordinary," noting that the number of HSI agents deployed is roughly equivalent to the agency’s entire workforce in Arizona. The official described the strategic focus as effectively making Minneapolis "the new Chicago," referencing past large-scale federal deployments.
This escalation follows a series of high-profile investigations into fraud involving federally funded programs in Minnesota. Since 2021, federal prosecutors have charged more than 90 individuals and secured over 60 convictions in cases such as the massive "Feeding Our Future" pandemic-era fraud scheme. Investigators estimate potential losses across nutrition, housing, and child care programs could reach billions of dollars. Citing these ongoing concerns, the Department of Health and Human Services has frozen $185 million in federal child care payments to the state.
The operation also targets immigration enforcement, specifically within the region’s large Somali-American population. President Trump has frequently cited Somalia in his rhetoric regarding deportation campaigns. This current surge builds on "Operation Metro Surge," which ICE launched late last year and which resulted in nearly 700 arrests. The intensified federal presence has prompted community protests and fear among immigrant residents. Amidst this scrutiny, Democratic Governor Tim Walz announced Monday that he will not seek reelection to a third term.
Federal Enforcement Strategy and Legal Implications
The concentration of such a massive federal force in a single metropolitan area indicates a tactical pivot toward integrating complex financial investigations with aggressive immigration enforcement. By combining HSI’s white-collar investigative capabilities with ICE’s removal operations, federal authorities appear intent on dismantling systemic fraud networks while executing high-volume deportation orders. This strategy exerts significant pressure on state governance and local community stability. It is important to note that all individuals charged in connection with these fraud investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
