U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted Operation Metro Surge, detaining 12 individuals including five Somali nationals with criminal records.
The raids follow major welfare fraud cases like Feeding Our Future, where over 70 defendants—mostly Somali Minnesotans—allegedly stole $250 million in child nutrition funds through fake meal claims.
Treasury officials tracked related funds to Somalia via unregulated services, while Rep. Ilhan Omar defended her community and criticized harsh rhetoric from figures like Stephen Miller and President Trump.
Local leaders expressed frustration as tensions rise over immigration enforcement and past ignored fraud warnings.
