FIRST ON FOX: The Department of homeland Security (DHS) on Friday announced the arrest of what it called the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, including a man with 24 criminal convictions.
The agency blasted state and local leaders for refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
DHS said the arrests show the results of ICE enforcement operations in sanctuary jurisdictions, contrasting the agency’s actions with what it described as the refusal of gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to honor ICE detainers.
ICE AGENT SHOOTS VENEZUELAN NATIONAL IN MINNEAPOLIS AFTER SHOVEL ATTACK DURING AMBUSH: DHS
That policy,DHS claims,has resulted in hundreds of criminal illegal aliens being released back into local Minnesota communities.
“As our law enforcement are facing rampant violence against them, they arrested murderers, drug traffickers and an illegal with 24 criminal convictions in Minneapolis,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “These are the criminals Governor [Tim] Walz and Mayor [Jacob] Frey are protecting. No American wants these criminals for neighbors.”
Federal Raids Net Over 100 Illegal Immigrants with Criminal Records
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 113 individuals with extensive criminal histories during a nationwide operation, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release issued January 17, 2026. The arrests targeted individuals illegally residing in the United states who have prior convictions for a range of offenses, from traffic violations to violent crimes.
among those arrested was hien Quoc Thai, a citizen of Vietnam previously convicted of murder, DHS stated. Eddy Xol-Lares,a citizen of Venezuela,was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while aboard a vessel.
The operation also led to the apprehension of individuals from Guatemala, cuba, Mexico, Honduras, South Africa, and Romania, all of whom are in the U.S. illegally.
DHS reported that those arrested had been convicted of crimes including domestic violence,assault,fraud,identity theft,forgery,and violations of restraining orders. Several individuals faced prior charges related to kidnapping, robbery with deadly weapons, gun possession, and narcotics offenses.
The DHS did not release further details regarding the specific locations of the arrests or the length of the operation.
