DHS Cracks Down on Criminal Illegal Immigrants in Minnesota

In a significant law enforcement action, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently conducted “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota, resulting in the arrest of numerous individuals they described as the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants. The operation, announced on Friday, highlighted the case of one individual with an astonishing 24 criminal convictions, underscoring the severity of the targets in this enforcement action. DHS officials framed the operation as necessary due to what they characterize as sanctuary policies implemented by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, “As our law enforcement are facing rampant violence against them, they arrested murderers, drug traffickers and an illegal with 24 criminal convictions in Minneapolis. These are the criminals Governor Walz and Mayor Frey are protecting. No American wants these criminals for neighbors.” This statement reflects the tension between federal immigration enforcement priorities and local governance decisions that have become increasingly common across the country.

The individuals arrested during Operation Metro Surge represent a cross-section of serious criminal histories that authorities believe pose significant public safety threats. Among those apprehended was Hien Quoc Thai, a Vietnamese national previously convicted of murder, and Brian Anjain from the Marshall Islands, who has accumulated two dozen criminal convictions including assault causing bodily injury, domestic abuse, public nudity, theft, interference with official acts, public intoxication, and trespassing. Another notable arrest was Eddy Xol-Lares of Venezuela, convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while aboard a vessel. The operation cast a wide net, resulting in the detention of individuals from diverse countries including Guatemala, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, South Africa, and Romania. Many of those arrested had convictions for domestic violence, assault, fraud, identity theft, forgery, restraining order violations, property damage, and multiple DUI offenses, with some facing prior charges involving kidnapping, robbery with deadly weapons, gun possession, and narcotics offenses.

The operation highlights the ongoing national debate about immigration enforcement and the role of state and local authorities in cooperating with federal agencies. DHS officials claim that since President Trump took office, nearly 470 criminal illegal immigrants have been released back into Minnesota communities due to what they term “sanctuary-style policies.” These policies typically limit local law enforcement cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly regarding detainer requests that ask local jails to hold individuals beyond their scheduled release dates so that ICE can take them into custody. Proponents of such policies argue they foster trust between immigrant communities and local police, making immigrants more willing to report crimes and cooperate with investigations without fear of deportation. Critics, including DHS in this case, counter that these policies allow potentially dangerous individuals to return to communities where they may commit additional crimes.

The human impact of immigration enforcement actions is complex and multifaceted. On one hand, victims of crimes committed by individuals who could have been detained by immigration authorities may feel the system has failed them. Communities concerned about public safety may welcome the removal of individuals with serious criminal histories regardless of immigration status. On the other hand, immigrant advocates point out that enforcement actions can separate families, including those with U.S. citizen children, and may sweep up individuals whose offenses are minor or who have served their sentences and been rehabilitated. The debate extends beyond simple law enforcement considerations to questions about proportionality, second chances, and the appropriate consequences for non-citizens who commit crimes after entering the United States, whether legally or illegally.

DHS is actively pressuring Minnesota leadership to change their approach, urging Governor Walz and Mayor Frey to honor ICE detainers for more than 1,360 individuals currently in custody, including those characterized as violent criminals. The federal agency argues that increased cooperation would significantly improve public safety in Minnesota communities. This reflects a broader strategy by federal immigration authorities to publicly highlight cases where individuals released despite ICE detainer requests later commit additional crimes, creating political pressure on local officials to modify their policies. The effectiveness of this approach varies by jurisdiction, with some local governments standing firm on their sanctuary policies while others have modified their stance in response to high-profile cases or federal pressure.

To increase transparency around enforcement actions, DHS has created a public database at wow.dhs.gov that tracks enforcement actions involving serious offenders. This tool allows citizens to see information about individuals arrested in immigration enforcement operations nationwide, including their criminal histories. Such public information efforts represent part of the administration’s strategy to build support for stricter immigration enforcement by highlighting criminal cases. The debate over the appropriate balance between federal immigration enforcement and local control over law enforcement resources continues to evolve across the country, with Minnesota now at the center of this contentious national conversation. As Operation Metro Surge demonstrates, the intersection of immigration policy, criminal justice, federalism, and public safety remains one of the most challenging aspects of American governance, with profound implications for communities, families, and individuals throughout the nation.