THE FOLLOW UP
Feb 04, 2026 · whitehouse.gov
Important News

White House says 4,000+ noncitizens arrested in Minnesota under Operation Metro Surge

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Key takeaways

  • The White House says more than 4,000 noncitizens described as "criminal illegal aliens" have been arrested in Minnesota since Operation Metro Surge began.
  • The statement claims the arrests include violent offenders such as murderers, rapists, and gang members.
  • Border Czar Tom Homan said counties are allowing ICE to take custody of individuals "before they hit the streets."
  • Homan and the White House reiterated the Administration’s intent to carry out mass deportations of people in the country illegally.
  • Officials said special agents are conducting fraud investigations and that full body‑camera deployment has been prioritized in Minneapolis with plans to expand nationwide.
  • The announcement said a drawdown of federal personnel in Minneapolis could occur but is contingent on an end to activities the administration describes as threats against ICE and its partners.

Follow Up Questions

What is Operation Metro Surge and when did it begin?Expand

Operation Metro Surge is a large-scale federal interior immigration-enforcement operation led by DHS/ICE in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area (later expanded in Minnesota); it was launched on December 1, 2025.

Sources
Who is Tom Homan and what authority does he have in this operation?Expand

Tom Homan is a White House "border czar" and former senior ICE official who was sent by the Trump administration to take operational command and coordinate the Minnesota deployment; his authority is as a presidential appointee/White House adviser overseeing the operation (not as a lawmaker) and he directs federal ICE/CBP resources on behalf of the administration.

Sources
What legal authority allows ICE to take custody of people "before they hit the streets"?Expand

ICE may take custody of noncitizens from local jails primarily through immigration detainer requests (requests to hold individuals for transfer to ICE) and existing federal immigration arrest authority under immigration statutes; such transfers depend on local jail cooperation and are governed by federal law and local policies—and some jurisdictions limit honoring detainers.

Sources
How does the administration define "criminal illegal aliens" and which crimes are included?Expand

The administration uses the term "criminal illegal aliens" to mean noncitizens who have been arrested or convicted of crimes; DHS/ICE statements list offenses ranging from DUI and larceny to violent crimes (murder, rape), sexual offenses, gang membership, drug trafficking and fraud in their public summaries.

Sources
How were the "more than 4,000" arrests counted and verified?Expand

The "more than 4,000" figure is a White House claim based on DHS/ICE arrest tallies reported during the operation; DHS/ICE press releases and the White House statement assert cumulative arrest counts but detailed, independently audited breakdowns (duplication, charges vs. convictions) are not provided in those releases.

Sources
Which Minnesota local or state officials have agreed to cooperate with federal authorities, and what form does that cooperation take?Expand

Federal officials say multiple Minnesota counties and local jails have ‘‘communicated with us’’ and permitted ICE to assume custody of individuals; reporting and DHS statements describe cooperation taking the form of honoring ICE detainer requests and transfers from county jails, though which specific counties honored detainers varies and some local officials have resisted or sought legal limits.

Sources
What does "draw down forces" mean in this context and what conditions would trigger it?Expand

"Draw down forces" means reducing the number of federal immigration enforcement personnel (ICE/CBP) deployed in Minneapolis; officials say a drawdown would occur if threats to ICE and federal partners stop and local cooperation continues—Homan announced a planned reduction of about 700 officers while keeping a residual federal presence.

Sources

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