Minneapolis authorities and federal agents have rounded up at least a dozen criminal illegal immigrants in a major law enforcement sweep dubbed Operation Metro Surge, officials said Thursday.
According to Fox News, the arrests include individuals with histories of sexual assault, gang activity, and violent crimes.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlighted the severity of the individuals apprehended, describing them as “child sex offenders, domestic abusers, and violent gang members.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that five Somali nationals, six from Mexico, and one from El Salvador were among those taken into custody.
“Sanctuary policies and politicians like Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey allowed these pedophiles, domestic terrorists, and gang members to roam the streets and terrorize Americans,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. She added, “ICE law enforcement are risking their lives to protect Minnesotans while their own elected officials sit by and do nothing. No matter when and where, ICE will find, arrest, and deport ALL criminal illegal aliens.”
Among those arrested is Abdulkadir Sharif Abdi, a Somali national and alleged former member of the Gangster Disciples, currently associated with the Vice Lord Nation gang.
DHS reports that Abdi has convictions for fraud, receiving stolen property, vehicle theft, and multiple probation violations.
Other Somali nationals taken into custody include Sahal Osman Shidane and Mukthar Mohamed Ali, convicted of sexual assault of a minor and charges including assault, fraud, robbery, and larceny, respectively. Two Mexican nationals were also captured for felony smuggling of aliens and aggravated assault with a weapon.
Federal authorities filed additional charges against Abdimahat Bille Mohamed, a 28-year-old Somali national who allegedly kidnapped and raped a woman he met on Snapchat.
Previously sentenced under a plea deal that avoided prison time for unrelated sexual assault cases, Mohamed’s recent alleged crimes prompted renewed DOJ action.
Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized local Minnesota courts for allowing prior offenders to remain free.
“This horrific case illustrates how left-wing soft-on-crime policies and vetting failures put innocent people at dire risk,” Bondi said. She added, “If Minnesota will not protect its own people, the Department of Justice will do it for them.”
The operation comes amid heightened political tension, with President Donald Trump publicly criticizing Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Somali migrants, prompting Omar to defend her community as law-abiding contributors to American society.
“We are doctors, teachers, and elected leaders working to make our country better. We will not let Trump intimidate or debilitate us,” Omar wrote on X.
Federal officials said further charges are expected as investigations continue.
