Federal ICE Operation in Twin Cities Targets Somali Immigrants, Sparks Outcry
Federal authorities planned a targeted immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area focused on Somali immigrants with final orders of deportation, a development that drew swift denunciations from local leaders and raised concerns about community disruption. The prospect of raids has prompted mayors to pledge limited cooperation, heightening tensions between federal priorities and local policies in a region with one of the nation’s largest Somali populations.
Federal immigration officials were reported to be preparing a targeted operation in Minnesota that would concentrate on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the United States, according to a person familiar with the planning. The operation was described as involving teams of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and as many as 100 agents drawn from around the country, and was expected to focus on people in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area who have final orders of deportation. The Associated Press reporting, cited by PBS NewsHour December 2 and 3, said plans were fluid and could change. The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on potential operations.
Local leaders reacted swiftly. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter denounced the targeting and pledged limited cooperation with civil immigration enforcement, citing the risk of wrongful detentions given the large share of Somali Minnesotans who are U.S. citizens. City officials and immigrant advocates warned that even narrowly tailored enforcement could erode trust between Somali communities and public agencies, complicating policing, public health outreach and school attendance.
The potential operation comes amid a broader uptick in federal immigration enforcement this year and heated rhetoric from the White House focusing on Somali communities, according to the reporting. Enforcement activity has been elevated across multiple fronts, increasing the likelihood of confrontations in jurisdictions that have long resisted partnership with federal immigration authorities. Legal experts said enforcement that targets a specific national origin or ethnic community could invite legal scrutiny, though the AP reporting did not say officials had explicitly described the operation as based on nationality.
Economic and social consequences in the Twin Cities could be immediate and measurable. Somali Minnesotans are embedded across local labor markets, working in healthcare, education, retail and manufacturing. Analysts and local business leaders warned that raids or the fear of enforcement can reduce labor supply in critical sectors, disrupt small businesses, dampen consumer spending and reduce school enrollment. Community organizations providing social services and job training said they anticipated increased demand for legal aid, housing assistance and emergency support if enforcement moves forward.
Longer term, sustained enforcement targeting concentrated immigrant communities can affect labor force participation and tax revenues, while increasing costs for local governments that must respond to humanitarian and legal needs. Economists point to studies showing that when immigrant households face enforcement risk, they curtail consumption and investment, outcomes that can slow local economic growth in neighborhoods where immigrants are economically active.
Local officials are preparing to tighten coordination internally to protect civil liberties, while immigrant rights groups mobilized legal resources and hotlines. With federal plans described as fluid, community leaders said they would monitor developments closely and pursue legal remedies if evidence emerged of wrongful detentions or discriminatory targeting. The episode underscores the recurring tension between federal immigration priorities and municipal efforts to maintain community trust and economic stability in diverse metropolitan areas.
