Fear and uncertainty continue to grow in the Twin Cities’ Somali community as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement intensifies its efforts in the area.
On Friday, ICE reported that 12 immigrants — including five Somalis — were detained under “Operation Metro Surge.” However, immigrant advocates and attorneys say the actual number of arrests is significantly higher.
Democratic officials statewide have condemned the operation, with the strongest pushback coming from Minneapolis, home to Minnesota’s largest Somali population.
Days after ICE announced the operation, Mayor Jacob Frey signed an executive order prohibiting the agency from using any city-owned property — including parking lots — as staging areas.
President Trump criticized Frey this week, calling him a “fool” for expressing pride in the city’s Somali community.
“We know it is a chaotic operation,” Frey said. “The work they are doing seems scattered and, at times, it doesn’t even appear federal agents know what they’re doing.”
ICE carried out a similar operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month and arrested more than 250 people over several days. Frey said that hasn’t happened in Minneapolis because many Somali residents are here legally.
“They are American citizens — and that important fact is being overlooked,” he said. “You cannot deport people who are here legally and are citizens.”
Frey added that the city receives no advance notice of raids. Minneapolis police respond only to maintain crowd control and public safety, as they did in June on Lake Street when federal officers executing a search warrant encountered protests.
It is a delicate balance, Frey said.
“Our police will not coordinate with federal agents on immigration enforcement, but the presence of ICE agents doesn’t stop our officers from being cops,” he said. “They must still keep the peace, prevent injuries and protect property.”
ICE has not disclosed how long the Minnesota operation will continue.
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