The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the results of Operation Metro Surge, which led to the arrest of several individuals described as criminal illegal aliens in Minneapolis. The operation targeted people with histories that include violent assault, domestic abuse, and drug trafficking.
According to DHS, these arrests were made despite what it characterized as a lack of cooperation from local officials. The department stated that Minnesota's sanctuary policies have resulted in nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens being released back into communities since 2017.
DHS called on Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by honoring ICE detainers for more than 1,360 individuals currently in state custody who are described as including violent criminals.
“Another day, another scourge of sexual predators, violent assailants, domestic abusers, and drug traffickers arrested from the streets of Minnesota by our law enforcement,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We are in Minnesota to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Governor Walz and Mayor Frey refuse to let us into their jails and instead chose to release criminal illegal aliens back into Minnesota neighborhoods to victimize more Americans. Despite violence against them and a lack of cooperation from sanctuary politicians, our law enforcement will not stop their efforts to get criminals out of our country.”
Among those arrested during Operation Metro Surge were:
- Teng Houa Vang from Thailand, convicted of domestic assault and pleading guilty to terroristic threats and violation of a protection order; also charged with arson, peeping tom offenses, obstructing police, trespassing, assault, drug possession, and property damage.
- Francisco Salazar-Solorzano from El Salvador was charged with assault, domestic violence, and driving under the influence.
- Victor Javier Bahena-Sandoval from Mexico has an arrest for domestic violence along with convictions for disorderly conduct and illegal re-entry.
- Lorenzo Armillas Llaurado from Spain was convicted of felony distribution of a controlled substance.
- Santiago Antunes Mendiola from Mexico was charged with battery.
- Michael Opeoluwa Egbele from Nigeria was convicted of fraud – impersonating.
The DHS reiterated its position that federal law enforcement would continue operations regardless of local government cooperation or opposition.
