THE FOLLOW UP
Jan 19, 2026 · dhs.gov
Niche News

DHS says ICE made 3,000 arrests during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis

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Key takeaways

  • DHS announced ICE arrested 3,000 'criminal illegal aliens' in Minneapolis in the last six weeks during Operation Metro Surge.
  • The release includes a quoted statement attributed to Secretary Kristi Noem saying DHS has arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal aliens and criticizing Minnesota officials Tim Walz and Jacob Frey.
  • ICE released names and captions for multiple individuals arrested over the weekend, listing convictions such as homicide, sexual assault (including against a minor), aggravated assault, fraud, DUI, and drug offenses.
  • Several named individuals were noted as having final orders of removal issued in various years (for example, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018).
  • The release frames the operation as a win for public safety and highlights arrests of alleged gang members and sex offenders.
  • The event described in the release is part of DHS/ICE’s broader 'Worst of the Worst' enforcement focus and is presented as occurring over a recent weekend.

Follow Up Questions

What exactly is Operation Metro Surge, who runs it, and what geographic area does it cover?Expand

Operation Metro Surge is a large-scale immigration-enforcement campaign led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (primarily ICE, with other DHS components such as CBP and HSI supporting). It was launched in late 2025 and has focused on the Minneapolis–Saint Paul (Twin Cities) area and expanded into other parts of Minnesota.

Sources
Does the reported figure of 3,000 arrests refer only to arrests in Minneapolis or to a wider region or nationwide operations?Expand

The DHS release and related federal statements describe roughly 2,000–3,000 arrests in Minnesota/Twin Cities since the operation began; DHS phrasing varies, but most reporting and official filings indicate the arrests are in Minnesota (the Twin Cities and surrounding parts of the state), not nationwide.

Sources
What does a 'final order of removal' mean and what legal steps follow after such an order is issued?Expand

A “final order of removal” is a final immigration judge or Board of Immigration Appeals decision ordering a noncitizen removed (deported) from the U.S.; after it issues the individual can be detained and is legally removable, and DHS can pursue detention, deportation (removal proceedings and travel documents), and civil or criminal enforcement if the person reenters unlawfully.

Sources
How does ICE define the term 'criminal illegal alien' and what standards does it use to list individuals' convictions in a public release?Expand

ICE uses the term “criminal illegal alien” in public materials to refer to noncitizens with criminal convictions; ICE public releases list convictions and prior immigration case statuses based on agency records (criminal convictions, arrests, and immigration case histories) though exact internal standards for labeling are agency-defined.

Sources
After these arrests, what typically happens next for the arrested individuals (local prosecution, federal charges, detention, deportation)?Expand

After arrest by ICE during operations, individuals commonly face immigration enforcement steps: agency custody/detention, immigration court removal proceedings (or execution of an existing final order), and deportation if removal is ordered or if a prior final order is enforced; criminal prosecution by local or federal prosecutors occurs only if separate criminal charges apply.

Sources
What is the 'Worst of the Worst' initiative referenced in the release and how are individuals prioritized under it?Expand

The “Worst of the Worst” initiative is DHS/ICE branding for a priority enforcement focus on noncitizens convicted of serious crimes (violent offenders, sex offenders, gang members); DHS prioritizes arrests of people it identifies as posing public-safety risks using agency criminal and immigration records.

Sources
Who are Tim Walz and Jacob Frey and what roles or authority do they have regarding local public safety and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement?Expand

Tim Walz is the governor of Minnesota; Jacob Frey is the mayor of Minneapolis. Their authorities over local public safety include state authority over the Minnesota National Guard and state law enforcement policy (governor) and municipal authority over Minneapolis Police Department and local public-safety partnerships (mayor); neither controls federal immigration enforcement, which is carried out by DHS/ICE.

Sources

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