Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claims thousands of arrests and sweeping fraud investigations as federal immigration enforcement intensifies in Minnesota, drawing legal challenges and pushback from state and city leaders.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that federal authorities have arrested more than 10,000 “criminal illegal aliens” in Minneapolis, describing the actions as a major public safety operation carried out by Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officers.
Noem said roughly 3,000 of those arrests occurred within the past six weeks and involved individuals she characterized as violent offenders, including murderers, rapists, and child sex offenders. She also alleged that federal investigators have opened fraud investigations totaling at least $19 billion, escalating her criticism of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
In a statement, Noem said DHS personnel were responsible for the arrests and framed the operation as a response to what she described as failures by state and local leaders.
“PEACE AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNEAPOLIS! We have arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal aliens who were killing Americans, hurting children and reigning terror in Minneapolis because Tim Walz and Jacob Frey refuse to protect their own people and instead protect criminals,” Noem wrote.
She added, “In the last 6 weeks, our brave DHS law enforcement have arrested 3,000 criminal illegal aliens including vicious murderers, rapists, child pedophiles and incredibly dangerous individuals. A HUGE victory for public safety.”
Noem also alleged what she described as “massive fraud” in Minneapolis, claiming investigations totaling at least $19 billion are underway. She said Homeland Security Investigations agents are conducting large-scale probes aimed at recovering funds and holding those responsible accountable.
“There is MASSIVE Fraud in Minneapolis, at least $19 billion and that’s just the tip of iceberg,” Noem wrote. “Our Homeland Security Investigators are on the ground in Minneapolis conducting wide scale investigations to get justice for the American people who have been robbed blind.”
No documentation was provided to support the $19 billion figure, and Noem did not specify which programs, time frames, or cases were included in the estimate.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately release arrest records, names, or other details that would allow independent verification of Noem’s claims, including how many of those arrested had prior convictions for violent crimes, whether arrests occurred strictly within the city of Minneapolis or the broader Twin Cities area, or over what period the totals were calculated.
The announcement comes amid an intensified federal immigration enforcement effort in Minneapolis and St. Paul that has drawn national attention and legal challenges. According to people familiar with the matter, the Justice Department is investigating whether Walz and Frey impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements and actions.
Both officials have criticized the investigation and described it as intimidation. The enforcement campaign has also become more confrontational in recent weeks, with reported clashes between federal agents and angry bystanders during arrest operations.
A federal judge in Minneapolis recently barred DHS agents from arresting peaceful protesters who are not suspected of criminal activity or of obstructing officers, following allegations that constitutional rights were violated during immigration raids.
Noem’s fraud allegations also emerge against the backdrop of Minnesota’s long-running Feeding Our Future case, a major federal investigation linked to pandemic-era child nutrition programs. The Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor has summarized that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 70 individuals between September 2022 and February 2024 in connection with an alleged $250 million scheme involving federally funded nutrition assistance, centered on the nonprofit Feeding Our Future.
Walz’s office has previously said it was not notified in advance of the Justice Department investigation, while Frey has argued that the federal probe is intended to intimidate him for opposing what he described as dangerous federal actions in the city.