ICE arrests several individuals in Twin Cities during 'Operation Metro Surge'
ICE arrests multiple suspects in 'Operation Metro Surge'
The Department of Homeland Security announced multiple arrests in Minneapolis made during "Operation Metro Surge."
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested several people in the Twin Cities for being in the country illegally.
ICE arrests in Twin Cities
What we know:
According to DHS, during what they called "Operation Metro Surge", ICE agents arrested 12 individuals for allegedly being in the country illegally.
One of those arrested is reportedly a member of a gang in the Twin Cities. DHS says the others arrested have child sexual abuse, domestic abuse and assault convictions. Others were arrested for domestic violence or driving while under the influence.
The 12 were arrested after "Operation Metro Surge", which launched on Dec. 1, DHS said.
The individuals arrested had come from Somalia, Mexico and El Salvador, DHS says.
Trump targeting Somalis in MN
The backstory:
The announcement of "Operation Metro Surge" and the arrests comes after Twin Cities leaders said more than 100 federal agents would be deployed to the Twin Cities for immigration enforcement operations.
This comes as the Trump Administration has become increasingly focused on people of Somalian descent living in Minnesota and the United States. On Tuesday, Trump said he did not want Somali immigrants in the country and on Wednesday, he said Somalis have "destroyed Minnesota."
READ MORE: LIVE UPDATES: Trump targeting Somalis in MN; community denouncing his comments
Minnesota GOP lawmakers react to immigration enforcement, Trump’s remarks
The response:
State Republican lawmakers on Thursday reacted to the ongoing immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities and President Trump’s remarks earlier this week about Somalis. One lawmaker said he did not like the president’s remarks that Somalis were "garbage." But another lawmaker appeared irritated when questioned about the comments.
"Okay, that’s a dumb, stupid question, and I’m not even –. That is a stupid question. I can’t even believe you asked me that question," said State Rep. Mary Franson of Alexandria when asked about President Trump’s comments on the Somali community. "That is absolutely stupid. Did you just ask me that?"
Other lawmakers distanced themselves from his remarks but said the enforcement operation is necessary.
"The president has the right to speak his own mind and certainly has colored the debate. But I’ll just say that the president has been talking about the challenges with fraud and immigration and the issues and challenges that we have faced from the illegal activity of Somalians in Minnesota...." said State Rep. Isaac Schultz, deputy speaker pro tempore.
"I don’t like those remarks. I would say this: fraud is garbage. Fraud is disgusting," said State Rep. Elliot Engen of Lino Lakes. "I think anybody who’s here illegally who’s looking to defraud our public programs – that’s wrong, and we should go after it. But we shouldn’t lose the forest through the trees just like we shouldn’t lose the fraud through the Democrat distractions."