ICE 'Operation Metro Surge' Detains About a Dozen Criminal Noncitizens in Minneapolis, Including Several Somali Nationals

Summary: Federal immigration authorities say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained at least a dozen noncitizens in Minneapolis as part of a targeted enforcement effort called Operation Metro Surge. Officials described some of those arrested as child sex offenders, domestic abusers and violent gang members. The operation, which ICE says began on Dec. 1, recovered suspects from multiple countries and prompted responses from federal and local leaders.

Operation Details

DHS and ICE officials published a list of individuals on what the agencies described as their current "worst of the worst" list. According to DHS, the detainees include five nationals from Somalia, six from Mexico and one from El Salvador. ICE said the operation targeted people with prior convictions for serious crimes, including sexual offenses, assault, robbery, fraud and gang affiliation.

Named Suspects and Charges

Among those named by DHS is Abdulkadir Sharif Abdi, identified as a Somali national with past affiliations to the Gangster Disciples and alleged current ties to the Vice Lord Nation. DHS said Abdi has convictions for fraud, receiving stolen property and vehicle theft, as well as multiple probation violations.

Two other Somali nationals identified by DHS are Sahal Osman Shidane, described as convicted of criminal sexual conduct with a minor aged 13–15, and Mukthar Mohamed Ali, listed with prior convictions for assault, fraud, robbery and larceny. DHS also said two Mexican nationals arrested in the operation were previously convicted of felony alien smuggling and aggravated assault with a weapon.

Related Federal Case

The Justice Department filed federal charges against Abdimahat Bille Mohamed, 28, a convicted sex offender in Minnesota accused of kidnapping and raping a woman he met on Snapchat in September. DOJ officials said Mohamed had earlier been sentenced in May in two unrelated sexual-assault cases and, under a plea agreement, was allowed to serve no prison time. Federal prosecutors said they have run DNA evidence through databases to link Mohamed to multiple unsolved sexual assaults and indicated more charges may follow.

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary: 'ICE law enforcement are risking their lives to protect Minnesotans while their own elected officials sit by and do nothing. No matter when and where, ICE will find, arrest, and deport all criminal illegal aliens.'

Attorney General Pam Bondi: 'This case illustrates how soft-on-crime policies and vetting failures put innocent people at risk. There are more charges to come.' DOJ officials also noted DNA testing linked the suspect to additional cases.

Political Reactions

The enforcement action prompted criticism of local "sanctuary" policies from federal officials who argued such policies allowed dangerous individuals to remain free. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and other Somali Americans in the wake of the arrests. Rep. Omar responded on social media, condemning the president's comments and defending the contributions of Somali Americans as doctors, teachers and public servants.

Ongoing Developments: ICE and DOJ said the investigations are continuing and additional charges may be filed as authorities review evidence and DNA results.