ICE begins 'largest immigration operation ever' in Minnesota

Christopher Cann, USA TODAY

Updated Tue, January 6, 2026 at 7:31 PM UTC

2 min read

Federal immigration agents are "surging" into Minnesota, officials said, amid a deepening fraud scandal that's enveloped state and national politics.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons described the deployment in an interview on Newsmax as "the largest immigration operation ever." He did not say how many agents the deployment would involve or how long it was expected to last.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told USA TODAY the agency does not "get into law enforcement footprint" for the safety of officers.

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers surround a vehicle during a traffic stop before leaving without detaining anyone in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., Jan. 5, 2026.

The development comes as Hilton said it severed ties with a hotel franchise in Minneapolis that had allegedly canceled the reservations of ICE agents working in the area. The company apologized and said it would contact all of its franchises nationwide to "reinforce the standards we hold them to" and "help ensure this does not happen again."

More: Homeland Security blasts Hilton Hotels over canceled ICE reservation

Immigration agents have been operating in Minneapolis for several weeks as pressure ramps up amid the fraud scandal that's led to federal probes and political shake-ups. According to McLaughlin, agents have made more than 1,000 arrests since first deploying resources to Minnesota.

On Dec. 5, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he plans to end his reelection bid, saying the election would distract him from "defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity."

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz greets students as they arrive for the first day of school at Deerwood Elementary on Sept. 2, 2025 in Eagan, Minn. The majority of Minnesota school children returned to school after a mass shooting the previous week at Annunciation Church and School which killed two and injured 21 others.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and first lady Gwen Walz attend a candlelight vigil outside the state Capitol building on June 18, 2025 in St. Paul, Minn. Law enforcement agencies captured Vance Boelter on June 15th in connection with the killing of DFL State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, who were shot at their home on June 14th. DFL State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and hospitalized in a separate incident. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said during a press conference that the shooting "appears to be a politically motivated assassination."

(L-R) Hope Walz, Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz, Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Second gentleman Doug Emhoff react after Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election in a speech at Howard University on Nov. 06, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a campaign rally on Oct. 28, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her vice presidential running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz greet supporters during a campaign rally in Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 28, 2024.

Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a get-out-the-vote rally on Oct. 22, 2024 in Madison, Wisc.

Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz gestures toward former President Barack Obama after speaking during a campaign rally in support of Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, at Alliant Center in Madison, Wisconsin, on Oct. 22, 2024.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and former US President Bill Clinton wave to supporters as they arrive at a Get-Out-The-Vote rally for Vice President and Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris on the first day of North Carolina early voting in Durham, North Carolina, Oct. 17, 2024.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz campaigns on Oct. 15, 2024, in Volant, Pa.

Supporters of Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, listen to him speak at a rally to kick off his "Driving Forward" Blue Wall Bus Tour at the KI convention center on Oct. 14, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisc.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks during a campaign rally on Oct. 14, 2024, at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wis.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, center, with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, thanks the crowd during a campaign rally on Oct. 14, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis.

Jim McCain (center), son of late Sen. John McCain, speaks with veterans and families endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz (right) during a rally at John S. McCain III VFW Post 7401 in Chandler on Oct. 9, 2024.

Gov. Tim Walz (center) orders pastries with his daughter Hope Walz and second gentleman Doug Emhoff (left) and Emhoff's son Cole Emhoff (right) at Otro Cafe in Phoenix prior to an event in Chandler on Oct. 9, 2024.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz takes a photo with supporters after speaking at a rally at York Exposition Center UPMC Arena on Oct. 2, 2024 in York, Pa.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz stops at Justino’s Pizza on Oct. 1, 2024 in New York City after the CBS News vice presidential debate between Republican JD Vance and Walz.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz debates Republican opponent JD Vance in New York City on Oct. 1, 2024.

Ohio Sen. JD Vance, left, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz start their vice presidential debate Oct. 1 with a handshake.

Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, delivers remarks at an election campaign event in Superior, Wisc., Sept. 14, 2024.

Attendees hold a "coach" sign during an election campaign event for Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in Superior, Wisc., Sept. 14, 2024.

Gwen Walz, wife of Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, delivers remarks during an election campaign event in Superior, Wis., on Sept. 14, 2024.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz serves ice cream to visitors at the Dairy Barn in the Minnesota State Fair on Sept. 1, 2024 in Falcon Heights, Minn.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks on stage during the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Convention on August 28, 2024 in Boston.

From left, Hope Walz, Gus Walz, Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz and Gwen Walz wave to the crowd after his acceptance speech during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz takes the stage to give an acceptance speech during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Gov. Tim Walz and vice presidential nominee during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz knocks on the side of the wooden podium for good luck during an afternoon rehearsal before the start of the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug 21, 2024. Walz is scheduled to deliver his nomination acceptance speech later in the evening.

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a Vice President Kamala Harris campaign rally on Tuesday August 20, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz responds to cheers at a campaign event Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 in Eau Claire, Wis. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ORG XMIT: MJS2408071706090168 (Via OlyDrop)

Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz reacts as Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at Temple University's Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Aug. 6, 2024, on the first day of their "Battleground State Tour."

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz appear on stage in Philadelphia, Aug. 6, 2024.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a Biden-Harris campaign and DNC press conference on July 17, 2024, at a venue named in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The press conference was held to address Project 2025 and Republican policies on abortion.

Governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Tim Walz of Minnesota arrive for a news conference after a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on July 3, 2024, in Washington, DC. Biden met with all of the nation's Democratic governors, virtually or in person, to shore up support following his performance in the first presidential debate against Donald Trump.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks with union organizers before they march on businesses in downtown Minneapolis on Oct.14, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz provides an update on the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic and the investigation into the death of George Floyd, who died while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers, during a news conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. May 27, 2020. Picture taken May 27, 2020.

Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a press conference on healthcare funding Thursday, March 14, in St. Cloud.

Jul 7, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Since 2022, the Department of Justice has charged more than 80 people, many of them U.S. citizens of Somali descent, in connection with fraud schemes targeting government-funded programs, including child nutrition and housing initiatives. At least 60 suspects have been convicted in multiple fraud cases in the state.

In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has seized on the scandal, calling out Walz and targeting the Somali population, at one point calling them "garbage" and telling reporters, "I don’t want them in my country."

In December, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security both announced a surge of federal agents tasked with tracking down fraudsters. Other federal agencies have also taken action, including the Small Business Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services , freezing thousands of business loans and child care payments.

The Twin Cities region is home to the largest Somali population in the United States, with about 84,000 residents living in the area, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The majority of Somalis in Minnesota are U.S. citizens who were either born in the country or became citizens through the naturalization process.

Christopher Cann is a national breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact him via email at ccann@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Federal immigration agents flood into Minnesota amid fraud scandal

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