U.S. authorities detained more than 1,000 immigrants, including from Ecuador, Mexico and El Salvador, in the “largest operation” of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the state of Minnesota, amid the scandal over federal funds fraud in social programs.
DHS reported in a statement the 1,000 arrests of “murderers, rapists, pedophiles and gang members in Minnesota,” including more than 150 apprehensions of “illegal aliens” on Monday, marking the largest immigration operation so far in 2026.
DHS confirms major operation in Minnesota
MURDERERS HAVE NO HOME IN MINNEAPOLIS.@Sec_Noem and our brave DHS law enforcement have taken Tomas Espin Tapia off the streets, an Ecuadorian illegal alien convicted of robbery and WANTED for MURDER and SEXUAL ASSAULT.
To the criminals living among us, you are NOT our… pic.twitter.com/mj7vbt6SAk
– Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 6, 2026
The agency highlighted the arrest of Ecuadorians, including Tomás Espín Tapia, “a fugitive wanted for homicide in Ecuador and a sexual predator” and whose arrest was personally participated in by the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, who traveled to Minnesota, governed by Democrat Tim Walz.
In addition, he posted images of detained migrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Laos, Vietnam and Liberia.
“We will expose and deliver accountability for the rampant fraud and criminality occurring in Minnesota,” stated Noem.
The arrests come amid controversy in Minnesota, where governor and former 2024 U.S. vice presidential candidate Tim Walz announced Monday that he will not seek a third term because of controversy over million-dollar fraud related to Somali-linked child care programs.
CNN previewed Monday that the Trump Administration planned to send some 2,000 federal agents to Minneapolis to spearhead a crackdown on arrests of immigrants from the Somali community and other countries.
In the midst of the operation, a shooting occurred Wednesday involving a federal agent, according to the Minneapolis City Council, which said that “the presence of federal immigration agents is creating chaos in the city and making the community less safe.”
“The Mayor (Jacob Frey) is demanding ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) leave the city and state immediately. We stand behind our immigrant and refugee communities,” the City Council indicated on its social media.
But DHS warned that they will not leave the state “until the problem is resolved” considering this to be “their largest operation” so far.
With information from EFE
