Operation Metro Surge Nets a Dozen Criminal Illegal Immigrants in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A recent crackdown by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has resulted in the arrest of at least a dozen criminal illegal immigrants in Minneapolis, officials announced Friday. The operation, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, focused on removing individuals labeled as the “worst of the worst” — including convicted child sex offenders, domestic abusers, and violent gang members.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, which led the enforcement effort, apprehended five Somali nationals, six Mexican nationals, and one individual from El Salvador. Among those detained was Abdulkadir Sharif Abdi, a Somali national with a history of gang involvement. DHS officials reported that Abdi was a former member of the Gangster Disciples and is currently affiliated with the Vice Lord Nation gang. His criminal record includes convictions for fraud, receiving stolen property, vehicle theft, and multiple probation violations.
Other Somali nationals arrested include Sahal Osman Shidane, convicted of criminal sexual conduct with a minor aged 13 to 15, and Mukthar Mohamed Ali, who has convictions for assault, fraud, robbery, and larceny. The DHS highlighted the dangerous nature of these individuals, emphasizing their threat to public safety.
Two Mexican nationals apprehended during the operation were convicted of felony alien smuggling and aggravated assault with a weapon. The arrests underscore DHS’s commitment to targeting criminal illegal immigrants who pose significant risks to communities.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of DHS criticized local sanctuary policies, stating that “politicians like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey allowed these pedophiles, domestic terrorists, and gang members to roam the streets and terrorize Americans.” She added that ICE officers “are risking their lives to protect Minnesotans while their own elected officials sit by and do nothing.”
The operation began on December 1 and reflects a broader federal initiative to enforce immigration laws in cities with sanctuary policies. These policies often limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, a point of contention that DHS officials say hampers efforts to remove dangerous individuals.
Minneapolis has been a focal point in national debates over immigration enforcement, particularly given its sizable Somali immigrant community. The arrests of multiple Somali nationals have drawn attention to the challenges of balancing community relations with public safety concerns.
For more information on immigration enforcement efforts and policies, see the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement page and the ICE removal statistics. Additionally, the American Civil Liberties Union provides analysis and commentary on the impact of sanctuary policies.
This operation is part of a continuing federal push to identify and remove criminal illegal immigrants nationwide, a strategy that has drawn both support and criticism from various political and community groups. DHS has pledged to continue such efforts regardless of local political opposition, emphasizing the priority of public safety and law enforcement.
As the debate over immigration enforcement intensifies, Minneapolis remains a key battleground where federal and local policies intersect, highlighting the complexities of immigration in America today.
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