DHS says Operation Metro Surge targeted criminal noncitizens in Minnesota, detaining individuals it described as "the worst of the worst," including a man with 24 prior convictions. Named arrestees include a Vietnamese national previously convicted of murder and a Venezuelan convicted in a large cocaine conspiracy. DHS criticized state and local officials for sanctuary-style policies, urged them to honor more than 1,360 ICE detainers, and pointed to its public database for nationwide enforcement details.
DHS Says ‘Worst of the Worst’ Detained in Minnesota Operation — Includes Man With 24 Convictions
DHS arrested more illegal criminal aliens Thursday during Operation Metro Surge, identifying 13 of them in a release first shared with Fox News.(Getty Images)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Friday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) completed a targeted enforcement effort in Minnesota, called Operation Metro Surge, and arrested individuals the agency described as the "worst of the worst" criminal noncitizens.
DHS said the operation prioritized noncitizens with serious criminal histories, including violent offenses, and contrasted its enforcement actions with what it called sanctuary-style policies by some state and local officials.
"As our law enforcement are facing rampant violence against them, they arrested murderers, drug traffickers and an illegal with 24 criminal convictions in Minneapolis," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. "These are the criminals Governor [Tim] Walz and Mayor [Jacob] Frey are protecting. No American wants these criminals for neighbors."
DHS identified several named arrestees. Hien Quoc Thai, a Vietnamese national, was previously convicted of murder. Brian Anjain, a Marshall Islands national, reportedly has 24 prior convictions, including assault causing bodily injury, domestic abuse, theft, public intoxication and trespassing. Eddy Xol-Lares, a Venezuelan national, was identified in a conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine aboard a vessel.
The agency said other detainees during the operation include nationals from Guatemala, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, South Africa and Romania. DHS listed a range of convictions among those arrested, including domestic violence, assault, fraud, identity theft, forgery, restraining order violations, property damage and multiple drunk-driving offenses. Several individuals reportedly faced prior charges involving kidnapping, armed robbery, firearms possession and narcotics offenses.
DHS also claimed that since President Donald Trump took office, nearly 470 criminal noncitizens have been released back into Minnesota communities because of sanctuary-style policies, and urged Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to honor more than 1,360 ICE detainers for people currently in custody. The department argued that honoring detainers would improve public safety.
For nationwide details on enforcement actions involving serious offenders, DHS pointed readers to its public-facing database at wow.dhs.gov, which the agency says tracks cases involving serious offenders.
Note: The figures and characterizations above reflect DHS statements and claims as reported by the agency.
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