Minnesota National Guard mobilized amid Twin Cities immigration crackdown

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota National Guard was mobilized on Saturday afternoon to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies, according to an announcement from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS).

This development occurs amid the , referred to as “Operation Metro Surge” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS officials are reporting the operation as a major success, citing the arrests of the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from Minnesota neighborhoods” including alleged thieves, drug traffickers and fraud perpetrators. Recent DHS statements have also claimed that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey “refuse to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and have released nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens” from custody.

Governor Walz, who directed the Minnesota National Guard to mobilize on Saturday, made a statement earlier in the week criticizing the intentions behind this latest crackdown operation in his state.

“Trump admits that this is nothing but political retribution,” Walz said. “Minnesota voted against him three times and now he’s punishing us – putting lives at risk and wasting enormous resources in the process.”

Minnesota DPS noted that the National Guard will not be deployed to the streets of Minneapolis at this time, but units will remain on standby, ready to help maintain public safety and protect peaceful protestors gathering within the Twin Cities.

“Our public safety team has the resources, coordination, and personnel on the ground to maintain public safety and respond if needed. Thanks to local law enforcement for keeping the peace,” Governor Walz stated.