Officials: ICE targeting Somalis in Twin Cities; MPD won’t assist
Federal immigration agents deployed to the Twin Cities this week in a campaign officials say targeted the Somali community — a reported roughly 100‑agent "Operation Metro Surge" resulted in at least 12 arrests (including some from Somalia), confrontations in Cedar‑Riverside where agents used pepper spray, reports that U.S. citizens were detained, and several detainees filing federal lawsuits. Minneapolis leaders, including MPD Chief Brian O’Hara, said the police department will not assist ICE or share information for immigration enforcement, while Gov. Tim Walz has urged DHS to review the operations after President Trump publicly criticized Somali immigrants and DHS flagged alleged visa fraud in Minnesota.
📌 Key Facts
- City officials held a news conference where MPD Chief Brian O’Hara said the department does not collaborate with ICE on immigration enforcement or share information for that purpose.
- President Trump, in a cabinet meeting, said he does not want Somali immigrants in the U.S., accused Somalis of defrauding Minnesota, and criticized Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar.
- FOX 9 recorded two men being questioned by ICE in Minneapolis on Tuesday afternoon and asked to produce passports.
- Gov. Tim Walz posted on X that he welcomes fraud investigations but called indiscriminate targeting of immigrants a political stunt.
- Census-based estimate: about 33,521 people of Somali descent live in Minneapolis.
- Twin Cities metro estimate: more than 83,000 people of Somali descent; statewide about 107,000 (lower statewide estimate ~76,000; metro ~64,699).
- Foreign-born Somali Minnesotans: roughly 41,000, with about 87% naturalized citizens.
- Somalis comprise about 2.26% of the Twin Cities metro population and 1.88% of Minnesota’s total population (using the higher estimate).
- FOX 9 reports immigration enforcement operations are beginning in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
- A deportation-flight protest rally is scheduled for 11 a.m. at MSP Airport.
📊 Relevant Data
More than $1 billion in taxpayers' money has been stolen across three investigated fraud plots involving social services in Minnesota, with members of the Somali diaspora largely responsible.
How Fraud Swamped Minnesota’s Social Services System on Tim Walz’s Watch — The New York Times
59 people have been convicted in schemes targeting Minnesota's social services, with prosecutors stating that members of the Somali diaspora were largely responsible.
How Fraud Swamped Minnesota’s Social Services System on Tim Walz’s Watch — The New York Times
The poverty rate among Somali Minnesotans is 27.9%.
Latest Data on Somali Minnesotans 2024 — Empowering Strategies
The workforce participation rate among Somali Minnesotans is 70.5%.
Latest Data on Somali Minnesotans 2024 — Empowering Strategies
31.2% of Somali Minnesotans receive food stamps/SNAP benefits.
Latest Data on Somali Minnesotans 2024 — Empowering Strategies
Somali Minnesotans generate an overall economic impact of roughly $8 billion to the Minnesota economy.
Vang: Somalis don’t contribute anything? How about $8 billion to the Minnesota economy. — Star Tribune
Nearly 30% of Somali Minnesotans live below the poverty line, linked to arrival as refugees carrying war trauma from the 1991 Somali civil war.
Vang: Somalis don’t contribute anything? How about $8 billion to the Minnesota economy. — Star Tribune
The labor-force participation rate of Somali Minnesotans is upwards of 70%, higher than the general population and most other immigrant groups in Minnesota.
Vang: Somalis don’t contribute anything? How about $8 billion to the Minnesota economy. — Star Tribune
📰 Sources (17)
Minneapolis police chief criticizes ICE tactics after clash with protesters
New information:
- Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara publicly criticized ICE tactics following a clash with protesters in Minneapolis.
- The chief’s remarks add an official MPD stance to ongoing federal immigration operations and local protest response.
- Article indicates a call for different tactics/coordination during future federal operations (as characterized in the report).
St. Paul woman in turmoil after ICE detains husband unexpectedly
New information:
- ICE detained 35-year-old Senegalese citizen Hadarane Demba Ka at a gas station while he was driving to work in Hudson, Wisconsin.
- His wife, Nadia Ka, says he is on a path to citizenship and has no criminal history beyond minor traffic and parking infractions.
- Ka’s recent employment includes work at Norflex (Hudson) and prior placements in St. Paul schools via Zen Educate, which said it verifies immigration status.
- His car was found still at the gas pump; ICE has not provided specific reasons for the detention.
Minneapolis ICE surge: Citizen's detainment sparks alarm
New information:
- Video shared by Minneapolis leaders shows a U.S. citizen being taken into ICE custody in Cedar-Riverside on Tuesday.
- Gov. Tim Walz formally asked DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to review the arrests of American citizens in Minnesota tied to Operation Metro Surge.
- FOX 9 reports observers in Minneapolis have been pepper‑sprayed by ICE; AP video shows agents using pepper spray to disperse a crowd blocking vehicles.
- Rep. Brad Tabke says more than 250 observers in Shakopee are monitoring ICE activity and assisting affected community members (groceries, escorts).
- Article cites Cato Institute analysis that over 70% of ICE arrests involve people without criminal records, fueling community concern (contextual data point).
Walz tells Noem to 'respect the Constitution' after ICE agents detain US citizens
New information:
- Gov. Tim Walz sent a formal letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem urging a review of ICE operations in Minneapolis and to 'respect the Constitution.'
- Walz’s office cited reports that some U.S. citizens who refused to move back were allegedly pushed, handcuffed, transported to federal facilities, and held in isolation for hours.
- Walz encouraged Minnesotans to continue exercising their rights while avoiding escalation and recording interactions only when safe and lawful.
- Article includes new Trump remarks criticizing Minnesota’s Somali community and Gov. Walz amid the ongoing ICE operation; DHS response pending.
Gov. Walz urges Noem to review Minnesota ICE arrests after reports of detained U.S. citizens
New information:
- Gov. Tim Walz publicly urged DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to review Minnesota ICE arrests after reports that U.S. citizens were detained during the operations.
- The governor’s request adds a state-level call for scrutiny to ongoing federal enforcement actions in the Twin Cities.
ICE agents pepper spray crowd after allegedly detaining U.S. citizen in Minneapolis
New information:
- ICE agents used pepper spray to disperse a crowd blocking vehicles during an enforcement action in Cedar-Riverside.
- Council Member Jamal Osman says agents detained a 20-year-old U.S. citizen named Mobashir, transported him to a Bloomington detention center, then released him without transportation.
- AP video corroborates the pepper-spray confrontation as agents checked identifications in the neighborhood.
Federal agents use pepper spray on crowd in Somali neighborhood of Minneapolis amid Trump crackdown
New information:
- Federal agents used pepper spray on a crowd in a Somali neighborhood of Minneapolis during an enforcement action on Dec. 9, 2025.
- This Minneapolis incident is a separate use-of-force episode from the St. Paul (Bro‑Tex) operation previously reported, indicating continued, city‑wide enforcement under the Trump administration’s crackdown.
ICE operations in Minnesota: What cities are saying
New information:
- Additional Twin Cities cities (Edina, Bloomington, Burnsville, Golden Valley) issued statements outlining that they do not ask about immigration status, are not notified of ICE operations, and only enforce state/local laws.
- FOX 9 cites approximately 100 federal agents deployed to Minnesota as part of the operations, with several reported raids in various cities.
4 immigrants arrested in Minneapolis ICE roundup sue feds, fight detention
New information:
- Four immigrants arrested since Operation Metro Surge began Dec. 1 filed federal lawsuits in Minnesota challenging their detention.
- A total of 11 immigrants have filed lawsuits in December; nearly all challenge detention, with at least three facing deportation.
- Plaintiffs cite asylum eligibility, a pending visa application, or eligibility for naturalization as grounds.
- Abdul Dahir Ibrahim (of Shakopee), ordered removed in 2004, was arrested Nov. 29; DHS publicized his arrest and referenced prior Canadian convictions; he awaits a hearing on a status-renewal application.
- Mahamed Cabdilaahi Awaale, who came from Somalia in 2022 after family violence, is seeking asylum.
- Plaintiffs come from Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Honduras, Egypt, and Mexico.
ICE: 12 criminal illegal aliens arrested in Minneapolis operation, including Somali gang member
New information:
- ICE states 12 noncitizens with criminal histories were arrested in a Minneapolis operation.
- Among those arrested, ICE says one individual is identified as a Somali gang member.
ICE arrests several individuals in Twin Cities during 'Operation Metro Surge'
New information:
- ICE conducted 'Operation Metro Surge' beginning Dec. 1 and arrested 12 people in the Twin Cities for alleged immigration violations.
- One arrestee is described as a Twin Cities gang member; others have convictions including child sexual abuse, domestic abuse, assault, and DUI.
- Arrestees are from Somalia, Mexico, and El Salvador.
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly responded alongside faith leaders following President Trump’s comments about Somali immigrants.
DHS claims half of visas in Minnesota are fraudulent, total number not shared
New information:
- DHS says a targeted operation in Minneapolis–Saint Paul found approximately half of the cases it investigated were fraudulent.
- Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin specifies case types reviewed: naturalization, H‑1B visas, marriage fraud, and the Ukrainian humanitarian parole program.
- DHS cites more than 95,000 pending immigration applications/petitions in Minnesota, with about 6,500 listing Somalia as country of origin.
- DHS did not provide totals behind the 'half' figure or information on resulting criminal charges; FOX 9 has requested data.
Trump targeting Somali community: How many Somalis live in Minneapolis?
New information:
- Census-based estimate: about 33,521 people of Somali descent live in Minneapolis.
- Twin Cities metro estimate: more than 83,000 people of Somali descent; statewide about 107,000 (lower statewide estimate ~76,000; metro ~64,699).
- Foreign-born Somali Minnesotans: roughly 41,000, with about 87% naturalized citizens.
- Somalis comprise about 2.26% of the Twin Cities metro population and 1.88% of Minnesota’s total population (using the higher estimate).
LIVE UPDATES: ICE operations in Minneapolis reportedly starting Wednesday
New information:
- FOX 9 reports immigration enforcement operations are beginning in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
- A deportation-flight protest rally is scheduled for 11 a.m. at MSP Airport.
- A 3 p.m. community response/press event is planned to denounce the targeted ICE deployment.
- Includes new on‑the‑record Trump quotes saying he does not want Somali immigrants in the U.S.
Trump's remarks, threats spark fear in Minnesota’s Somali community
New information:
- Minneapolis and St. Paul city officials say they received credible reports that as many as 100 federal agents will be deployed to the Twin Cities this week to target the Somali community.
- Local business impact: a Karmel Mall cafe owner reports customers staying away out of fear of ICE activity.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem made comments at a cabinet meeting regarding visas that could affect the Somali community (context for potential federal policy shifts).
LIVE UPDATES: ICE reportedly targeting Somalis in Minneapolis
New information:
- City officials held a news conference where MPD Chief Brian O’Hara said the department does not collaborate with ICE on immigration enforcement or share information for that purpose.
- President Trump, in a cabinet meeting, said he does not want Somali immigrants in the U.S., accused Somalis of defrauding Minnesota, and criticized Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar.
- FOX 9 recorded two men being questioned by ICE in Minneapolis on Tuesday afternoon and asked to produce passports.
- Gov. Tim Walz posted on X that he welcomes fraud investigations but called indiscriminate targeting of immigrants a political stunt.