DHS arrests over 4,000 illegal immigrants in Minnesota, vows not to ‘back down’ from mission
WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday, February 4, announced that it has arrested over 4,000 illegal immigrants in Minnesota since Operation Metro Surge was launched in late 2025.
The ongoing joint operation of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection focuses on detaining undocumented immigrants, especially violent offenders, and deporting them.
Tricia McLaughlin says DHS won't 'back down'
Speaking with Fox News Digital, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “Despite coordinated attacks of violence against our law enforcement, our officers have made more than 4,000 arrests of illegal aliens”.
She claimed those arrested included violent criminals.
“We will not back down from our mission to remove criminal illegal aliens from American neighborhoods,” she added.
McLaughlin further asserted that the federal government’s operation needs “sanctuary politicians to cooperate with us by notifying us before releasing public safety threats back onto the streets to commit more crimes and create more victims.”
Karoline Leavitt praises Trump on public safety
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also released a statement after the DHS announcement.
She said, “President Trump’s commonsense immigration enforcement policies are delivering the public safety results the American people demanded, with more than 4,000 dangerous criminal illegal aliens already arrested in Minnesota since Operation Metro began.”
Leavitt then went on to call out Democrats and the previous government of Joe Biden.
She said, “Democrats opened our borders and allowed vicious criminals, including murderers, r*pists, gang members, and t*rrorists, to invade our communities. President Trump is reversing that horrific damage and removing these threats from our country.”
Tom Homan hails 'unprecedented cooperation'
However, the crackdown has led to protests and agitators taking to the streets, demanding ICE’s withdrawal.
The opposition grew much more after the fatal shootings of two US citizens— Renee Good and Alex Pretti— which resulted in the removal of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.
President Donald Trump also sent White House border czar Tom Homan to the Twin Cities in January to lead the operation.
On Wednesday, February 4, Homan reportedly said, “We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets. Unprecedented cooperation.”
He added, “I'll say it again: This is efficient, and it requires only one or two officers to assume custody of a criminal alien target, rather than eight or 10 officers going into the community and arresting that public safety threat.”
Leavitt praised Homan’s strategy as she stated, “At President Trump’s direction, Tom Homan’s commitment to draw down forces in Minneapolis today follows these achievements and the new, unprecedented cooperation from state and local officials in Minnesota.”
