Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown: Federal Agents Arrest 12 Amid Controversy

Sat Dec 06 2025 01:12:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Federal agents have arrested a mix of individuals, including Somali immigrants, in Minneapolis as part of a recent immigration enforcement operation. This has sparked local backlash and raised questions about community safety.

In a recent crackdown on illegal immigration, federal agents arrested 12 people in Minneapolis, with a notable mix of nationalities among the detained. While only 5 of those arrested are Somali, the operation has faced significant criticism from local leaders. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that local police would not assist ICE in federal immigration actions, asserting a commitment to protect the Somali community amidst growing tensions and a backdrop of incendiary remarks from President Trump targeting Somali immigrants.

Federal agents have arrested a dozen individuals in Minneapolis as part of an enforcement operation targeting undocumented immigrants, particularly from the Somali community. Interestingly, less than half of those detained are Somali. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), of the 12 arrests made, 6 are Mexican nationals, 5 are Somali, and 1 is from El Salvador.

This operation follows similar actions in other US cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, and has provoked fierce criticism from local officials. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey emphasized that city police would not assist in federal immigration enforcement, vowing to shield the Somali community amidst a harsh national narrative.

In a statement about the arrests, ICE described the individuals as some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens, with many facing charges for serious crimes including assault and fraud. The crackdown has sparked fears among local communities, further inflamed by comments from President Trump, who labeled Somali immigrants as garbage with unfounded claims linking them to fraud in federal programs. Such rhetoric has intensified local government efforts to defend their communities and stand against federal actions perceived as unjust.