Exclusive: DHS Says Over 4,000 Arrested in Minnesota Under 'Operation Metro Surge' Amid Protests and Fraud Probes

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that federal officers have arrested more than 4,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota since the launch of "Operation Metro Surge" in late 2025. The multi-agency operation concentrated enforcement in the Twin Cities and across the state, prioritizing individuals with alleged violent or serious criminal records.

Operation Metro Surge And Recent Arrests

Federal officials say the campaign focused on removing individuals who pose public-safety risks. DHS released examples of arrests made on a recent day that included suspects from Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador with past convictions or pending charges ranging from sexual offenses to assault and drug possession.

• Man from Ecuador with prior convictions for sexual conduct with a minor and domestic assault.
• Individual from Honduras convicted of domestic abuse, disorderly conduct and driving while intoxicated.
• Mexican national arrested on charges including assault/domestic battery, larceny, driving under the influence and drug possession.
• Person from El Salvador convicted of trespassing.

"We will not back down from our mission to remove criminal illegal aliens from American neighborhoods," said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement provided to Fox News Digital, noting the arrests include individuals described as "murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists."

Welfare And Social-Services Fraud Investigations

Federal agents were deployed to Minnesota in late 2025 and early 2026 as probes uncovered large-scale welfare and social-services fraud schemes. Those investigations have produced dozens of arrests; DHS has said a notable number of suspects in those cases are from Minnesota's Somali community.

Federal officers stand outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building during a protest on Jan. 17, 2026, in Minneapolis.

Protests, Confrontations And Fatalities

The enforcement campaign sparked demonstrations and confrontations across the Twin Cities. DHS described episodes in which protesters clashed with agents, including an incident in which agitators entered a church during services. The period of unrest coincided with two separate fatal shootings linked to protests involving federal law enforcement, events that drew heightened criticism and scrutiny.

Federal Drawdown And Local Cooperation

Following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents, the White House sent border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis in January to oversee enforcement activities. Homan announced a planned drawdown—about 700 officers departing the city—as local officials and jail authorities increased coordination with federal agencies.

Tom Homan: "We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets. Unprecedented cooperation."

Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary: "President Trump’s commonsense immigration enforcement policies are delivering the public safety results the American people demanded. Commitments from elected officials to work with federal law enforcement produce tremendous outcomes that help keep Americans safe."

Officials say the increased jail-to-federal custody transfers reduce the need for large arrest teams to operate in communities, enabling more efficient custody handoffs and fewer street arrests.

What Comes Next

DHS and ICE say the campaign will continue while emphasizing coordination with state and local partners to limit community disruption. Federal and local authorities face ongoing scrutiny over the enforcement tactics and the circumstances of the fatal shootings, and both enforcement and oversight activities are expected to continue.