Federal immigration authorities have intensified operations in Minnesota, launching a series of raids targeting Somali nationals believed to be in the country illegally. According to local reports and community witnesses, ICE agents have been arriving in full tactical gear and entering properties in areas with high concentrations of Somali residents.
The ramp-up follows President Trump’s renewed push to enforce immigration laws evenly across all states, including those with leadership that traditionally resists federal immigration actions. Under the Trump administration, ICE has been directed to prioritize individuals with expired asylum claims, fraudulent documentation, or pending removal orders—areas where Minnesota has been flagged repeatedly in federal audits.
Residents reported multiple early-morning operations where heavily armed teams approached residential buildings, detained individuals, and conducted on-site interviews. While Democrat officials in the state have criticized similar operations in the past, the Trump administration has maintained that these actions are necessary to ensure national security and restore integrity to the immigration system.
The increased enforcement activity comes amid broader scrutiny of Minnesota’s recent fraud scandals and the state’s handling of federal programs. Administration officials say immigration violations—particularly among groups with high rates of denied asylum cases—are part of that larger investigation.
ICE has not yet released official numbers on detentions, but sources familiar with the operations say more actions are expected in the coming weeks as the agency continues to execute Trump’s directive for strengthened border and interior enforcement.
