The Department of Homeland Security is surging immigration agents to Minneapolis this week as it further escalates its crackdown on the Twin Cities region after a right-wing YouTuber alleged fraud by Somalis living there, according to two senior DHS officials.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which began ramping up arrests of undocumented immigrants in the Minneapolis area in early December, will be sending 1,500 deportation officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations as well as 600 agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the officials said. Some of the officers and agents began arriving Sunday, one of the officials said.
The surge stems from a viral video that alleged Somali-run day cares were receiving federal subsidies but that no children were present.
As a result, the Department of Health and Human Services cut funding to day cares in Minnesota and put restrictions on federal subsidies to day cares serving low-income children nationwide.
But the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families said its investigators conducted on-site compliance checks at nine of the 10 facilities. One of the facilities had closed in 2022.
“Investigators confirmed the centers were operating as expected, gathered evidence and initiated further review. Children were present at all sites except one—that site, was not yet open for families for the day when inspectors arrived,” the agency, which oversees day cares in Minnesota, said in a statement.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced via X that she was sending agents from Homeland Security Investigations to begin door knocking more than 30 businesses to root out fraud in the Somali community.
CBS News first reported the surge. One of the DHS officials told NBC News the 600 additional agents from Homeland Security Investigations will be largely focused on identifying possible fraud. Deportation officers will be making arrests of immigrants in the area who are allegedly violating immigration law, the official said.
It's unclear whether the Border Patrol might also add forces to join ICE in operations in Minneapolis. One of the DHS officials said Border Patrol official Greg Bovino — who oversaw operations in Chicago; Charlotte, North Carolina; and New Orleans — may soon be arriving in Minneapolis along with Noem.
A spokeswoman for DHS did not respond to questions about Noem and Bovino’s plans to travel to Minneapolis.
In a post on Instagram, ICE said a Hilton hotel in Minneapolis had canceled reservations for ICE agents upon finding out their stay was related to immigration enforcement in the area.
“After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and we will be cancelling your upcoming reservation. You should see a proper cancellation email in your inbox shortly from Hilton,” the email posted by ICE said.
Hilton said that the hotel was independently owned and operated, that the actions “are not reflective of Hilton’s values” and that they are investigating the matter.
The hotel, run by Everpeak Hospitality, says that the move was “inconsistent with our policy” and that it is making sure affected guests are accommodated.
