ICE Arrests Notorious Criminal Immigrants In Minnesota Sweep

On January 16, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the results of Operation Metro Surge, a targeted enforcement effort in Minnesota that federal officials say netted some of the most dangerous criminal illegal immigrants in the state. The operation, which DHS described as focused on removing the "worst of the worst" from local communities, has reignited debate over immigration enforcement and the role of so-called sanctuary policies in Minneapolis and across Minnesota.

According to Fox News, DHS officials detailed the arrests of several individuals with extensive and violent criminal histories. Among those apprehended was Brian Anjain, a native of the Marshall Islands, who authorities say racked up 24 criminal convictions. His record, DHS stated, includes assault causing bodily injury, domestic abuse, public nudity, theft, interference with official acts, public intoxication, and trespassing. "These are the criminals Governor [Tim] Walz and Mayor [Jacob] Frey are protecting. No American wants these criminals for neighbors," declared DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, underscoring the agency's frustration with local leaders.

Another high-profile arrest was that of Hien Quoc Thai, a Vietnamese national who was previously convicted of murder. DHS also announced the capture of Eddy Xol-Lares, a Venezuelan national convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine aboard a vessel. The list of arrestees extends to individuals from Guatemala, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, South Africa, and Romania, reflecting the international scope of the operation.

Federal officials say the crimes committed by those arrested go far beyond minor infractions. The roster of offenses includes domestic violence, assault, fraud, identity theft, forgery, restraining order violations, property damage, and multiple drunken driving offenses. Some individuals faced prior charges involving kidnapping, robbery with deadly weapons, gun possession, and various narcotics offenses. The breadth and severity of these crimes, DHS argues, highlight the risks posed by releasing such individuals back into the community.

"As our law enforcement are facing rampant violence against them, they arrested murderers, drug traffickers and an illegal with 24 criminal convictions in Minneapolis," McLaughlin stated, as reported by Fox News. The DHS has been public and pointed in its criticism of Minnesota's state and local leadership, particularly Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. The agency contends that their refusal to honor ICE detainers—a request that local law enforcement hold individuals for federal immigration authorities—has led to hundreds of criminal illegal aliens being released back into local communities.

Since President Donald Trump took office, DHS claims that nearly 470 criminal illegal immigrants have been released into Minnesota communities as a result of sanctuary-style policies. The agency is now urging Walz and Frey to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, specifically by honoring ICE detainers for more than 1,360 aliens, including violent criminals currently in custody. DHS officials argue that such cooperation would significantly improve public safety and prevent further crimes by repeat offenders.

The debate over sanctuary policies is nothing new in Minnesota, but the latest round of arrests has brought the issue back to the forefront. Supporters of sanctuary policies argue that they foster trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, encouraging cooperation in reporting crimes and serving as witnesses without fear of deportation. Critics, however, contend that these policies tie the hands of law enforcement and create safe havens for dangerous individuals.

In a statement to The Federalist, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin did not mince words: "These are the type of sickos we are getting OUT of our neighborhoods." The agency’s messaging has been clear—DHS wants the public to know that its operations are targeting serious offenders, not ordinary immigrants. The department has also made information about those arrested nationwide available through a public-facing database at wow.dhs.gov, which tracks enforcement actions involving serious offenders.

The operation has not been without controversy. On January 14, 2026, federal agents deployed tear gas at an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, as reported by Fox News and captured in photos by Olga Fedorova for EPA/Shutterstock. The demonstration, held outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, drew criticism from immigrant rights advocates and local activists, who argue that such enforcement actions sow fear and division in the community. The use of tear gas on protesters underscored the deep divisions over immigration enforcement and the ongoing tension between federal authorities and local government.

For their part, state and local leaders have remained steadfast in their support for sanctuary policies, despite mounting federal pressure. Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey have consistently argued that honoring ICE detainers would undermine community trust and make it more difficult for police to do their jobs effectively. They maintain that local law enforcement should focus on public safety, not on enforcing federal immigration law.

The broader context of the debate is shaped by national trends. Across the United States, sanctuary cities and states have become flashpoints in the larger immigration debate. The Trump administration, and now DHS under its current leadership, has prioritized aggressive enforcement and sought to pressure localities to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Minnesota, with its sizable immigrant population and progressive urban centers, has often found itself at the center of these disputes.

Yet the facts of Operation Metro Surge are stark. DHS reports that the operation prioritized offenders with serious criminal histories, including those convicted of violent crimes. The agency asserts that its efforts are aimed at making neighborhoods safer by removing individuals who pose a clear threat to public safety. "These are the type of sickos we are getting OUT of our neighborhoods," McLaughlin reiterated in her statement to The Federalist, emphasizing the department's focus on the most dangerous offenders.

Still, the controversy is unlikely to subside anytime soon. As the debate continues, both sides remain entrenched. Federal officials point to the severity of the crimes committed by those recently arrested as evidence that cooperation with ICE is necessary for public safety. Local leaders and immigrant advocates counter that such cooperation undermines trust and disproportionately targets vulnerable communities.

Operation Metro Surge has, at the very least, forced a renewed conversation about the intersection of immigration policy, public safety, and local governance in Minnesota. Whether it leads to changes in policy—or simply further entrenches existing positions—remains to be seen. What is clear is that the tension between local autonomy and federal enforcement persists, with real consequences for the communities caught in the middle.