The Department of Homeland Security is sending a large contingent of immigration personnel to Minneapolis this week, intensifying enforcement in the Twin Cities after a viral right-wing YouTube video alleged fraud at Somali-run day-care centers, two senior DHS officials told NBC News.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to deploy roughly 1,500 deportation officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations and about 600 agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Some officers and agents began arriving Sunday, according to one official.
What Prompted The Surge
Officials said the operational surge followed a widely shared video that claimed certain Somali-operated day cares were collecting federal subsidies while no children were present. In response, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services temporarily cut funding to some Minnesota day-care providers and imposed new restrictions on federal subsidies for programs that serve low-income children nationwide.
State Compliance Checks
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families conducted on-site compliance checks at nine of the 10 facilities identified in the video; one facility had already closed in 2022. The state agency said its 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."
Roles And Focus
According to a DHS official, the additional 600 HSI agents will focus largely on identifying possible fraud, while the 1,500 deportation officers will carry out arrests of immigrants alleged to be violating immigration laws. It is unclear whether U.S. Border Patrol personnel will join ICE in Minneapolis. One official said Border Patrol official Greg Bovino—who has overseen operations in Chicago, Charlotte, and New Orleans—may arrive in Minneapolis soon.
Political And Public Reactions
Separately, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem — who is not a DHS official but has been publicly outspoken about immigration enforcement — posted on X that she was sending attention and resources to probe alleged fraud, and announced HSI agents would begin door-knocking at more than 30 businesses in the Somali community. A DHS spokeswoman did not respond to questions about travel plans for Noem or whether Bovino will join the response.
Hotel Cancellation Incident
ICE posted an image on Instagram showing an email it said a Minneapolis Hilton property sent canceling reservations for ICE agents after learning the bookings were related to immigration enforcement. The message read: "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."
Hilton said the property was independently owned and operated and that the cancellation "are not reflective of Hilton’s values"; the company said it was investigating. The hotel operator, Everpeak Hospitality, described the cancellation as "inconsistent with our policy" and said it was working to accommodate affected guests.
Reporting Note: The deployment and motives described here are based on statements from two senior DHS officials and reporting by NBC News. Officials say the surge is meant to investigate alleged fraud and enforce immigration laws; state investigators found children present at all but one inspected site.
