ICE Arrests Surge in Minnesota Targets Convicted Child Rapists and Killers
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — In a sweeping enforcement operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested a significant number of convicted criminals in Minnesota, including individuals convicted of child rape and homicide, some with deportation orders dating back decades. The arrests, part of a recent surge in Minnesota, have reignited debates over sanctuary policies and immigration enforcement.
ICE Director Todd M. Lyons issued a statement emphasizing the agency’s commitment to removing dangerous criminal aliens, noting that some detainees had final orders of removal for as long as 30 years but remained free to commit crimes within the state. “Regardless of staged political theatrics, ICE is going to continue to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota and elsewhere,” Lyons said.
The operation targeted individuals described by ICE as the “worst of the worst,” highlighting cases such as Sriudorn Phaivan, a Laotian national convicted of multiple sex offenses including strong-arm sodomy of minors, as well as numerous charges related to theft, fraud, and drug possession. Phaivan had a deportation order since 2018 but had remained at large.
Another detainee, Tou Vang, also from Laos, was convicted of sexual assault and sodomy of a girl under 13 and procuring a child for prostitution. Vang had a deportation order dating back to 2006. These cases underscore the agency’s concerns about individuals with serious criminal histories evading deportation for years.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) supported the operation, sharing images of detainees being transported and emphasizing the importance of enforcing immigration laws to protect communities. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised ICE agents on social media, calling the arrested convicts “sick people” and expressing gratitude for the agents’ work to safeguard American communities.
These arrests have sparked protests and political clashes in Minnesota, where local officials and activists have often opposed aggressive immigration enforcement. ICE officials criticized what they described as political interference and “anti-immigration enforcement agitators” who have clashed with federal agents during the operation. Lyons urged local politicians to prioritize public safety over political posturing.
The surge in arrests in Minnesota aligns with national efforts by ICE to focus on removing criminal aliens, as outlined in the agency’s enforcement priorities. According to the ICE official website, the agency prioritizes individuals who pose a threat to public safety, including those convicted of violent crimes and sexual offenses.
Data from the Department of Homeland Security highlights ongoing challenges in managing deportation orders and ensuring compliance with removal proceedings, especially in sanctuary jurisdictions. Minnesota’s sanctuary policies have been criticized by federal officials for allowing individuals with longstanding deportation orders to remain in the country.
The arrests come amid heightened national debate over immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has also reported increased efforts to detain and remove individuals with criminal convictions, emphasizing the importance of interagency coordination.
As ICE continues its operations, the agency maintains that these arrests prevent recidivism and enhance community safety. The agency’s actions in Minnesota serve as a stark reminder of the complexities and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement in states with sanctuary policies.
For more information on ICE enforcement priorities and immigration law, visit the ICE website and the Department of Homeland Security portal.
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