Daijiworld Media Network - Minneapolis

Minneapolis, Jan 6: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stepped up its immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, deploying a large contingent of immigration agents to the Twin Cities region following allegations of fraud involving Somali-run day care centres, according to senior DHS officials.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which began intensifying arrests of undocumented immigrants in the Minneapolis area in early December, is sending around 1,500 deportation officers from its Enforcement and Removal Operations wing, along with about 600 agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Some of the personnel began arriving on Sunday, officials said.

The surge follows a viral video by a right-wing YouTuber alleging that Somali-run day cares were receiving federal subsidies despite having no children present. In response, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cut funding to certain day care centres in Minnesota and imposed restrictions on federal subsidies for day cares serving low-income children across the country.

However, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families said its investigators carried out on-site compliance checks at nine of the ten facilities mentioned. One centre had closed in 2022. “Investigators confirmed the centres were operating as expected, gathered evidence and initiated further review. Children were present at all sites except one — that site was not yet open for families for the day when inspectors arrived,” the department said.

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on X that HSI agents would begin door-to-door checks at more than 30 businesses to investigate possible fraud in the Somali community. According to DHS officials, the additional 600 HSI agents will primarily focus on fraud-related investigations, while ICE deportation officers will carry out arrests of immigrants allegedly violating immigration laws.

It remains unclear whether the US Border Patrol will also join the operations. Officials indicated that senior Border Patrol officer Greg Bovino, who has overseen similar operations in other US cities, may arrive in Minneapolis along with Noem.

Meanwhile, ICE said a Hilton hotel in Minneapolis cancelled reservations for its agents after learning the stay was connected to immigration enforcement. Hilton later clarified that the hotel was independently owned and operated, stating that the action did not reflect the company’s values and that it was investigating the matter. The hotel operator said the cancellation was inconsistent with its policy and that alternative accommodations were being arranged.