A wave of arrests swept through Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge, targeting individuals identified by the Department of Homeland Security as particularly dangerous criminals. The operation culminated in the apprehension of individuals with extensive criminal records, including one man burdened with an astonishing 24 prior convictions.
Federal authorities expressed sharp criticism towards state and local leadership, alleging a deliberate lack of cooperation with immigration enforcement efforts. This perceived obstruction, they claim, has directly resulted in the release of hundreds of individuals with criminal histories back into Minnesota communities.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin delivered a stark assessment, stating that law enforcement officers were actively arresting “murderers, drug traffickers and an illegal with 24 criminal convictions” while facing increasing violence. She directly challenged the policies of Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, asserting they were actively shielding dangerous individuals.
Operation Metro Surge was specifically designed to remove criminal non-citizens from Minnesota neighborhoods, prioritizing those with the most serious and violent offenses. The focus wasn’t on immigration status alone, but on the threat these individuals posed to public safety.
Among those arrested was Hien Quoc Thai, a Vietnamese national with a prior murder conviction. The list also included Brian Anjain, from the Marshall Islands, whose 24 convictions encompassed a disturbing range of offenses – from assault and domestic abuse to public intoxication and trespassing.
Eddy Xol-Lares, a Venezuelan national, faced charges related to a large-scale drug conspiracy, specifically the intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. The operation’s reach extended beyond these cases, encompassing individuals from Guatemala, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, South Africa, and Romania.
The arrests weren’t limited to violent crimes. Individuals were also taken into custody for offenses including domestic violence, fraud, identity theft, and multiple DUI offenses. Several faced prior charges involving kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal gun possession, and narcotics trafficking.
Department of Homeland Security officials claim that nearly 470 criminal non-citizens have been released back into Minnesota since the current presidential administration took office, directly attributing this to sanctuary-style policies. This figure underscores the agency’s concerns about public safety.
The department is now urgently calling on Governor Walz and Mayor Frey to honor ICE detainers for over 1,360 individuals currently in custody, including violent criminals. They argue that increased cooperation is essential to safeguarding the communities they serve.
The operation highlights a growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local policies designed to limit cooperation with federal authorities. The debate centers on balancing community trust with the need to remove individuals deemed a threat to public safety.
