In a recent operation dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has successfully apprehended at least twelve illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds in Minneapolis. This roundup, conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), targeted individuals involved in serious offenses, including child sex crimes, domestic abuse, and gang violence.

The operation’s list of detainees notably includes five individuals from Somalia, six from Mexico, and one from El Salvador, all of whom ICE has labeled as the “worst of the worst” for their alleged crimes and affiliations.

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of DHS, expressed frustration with local policies, stating, “Sanctuary policies and politicians like Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have allowed these dangerous individuals to walk freely, posing significant risks to the community.” She emphasized the critical role of ICE agents, who, she noted, “are risking their lives to safeguard Minnesotans, while their elected leaders fail to act.”

ICE remains resolute in its mission, with McLaughlin adding, “Regardless of time and place, ICE is committed to locating, arresting, and deporting all criminal illegal aliens.”

Among those arrested is Abdulkadir Sharif Abdi, a Somali national with a significant criminal record. DHS reports that Abdi is a former member of the Gangster Disciples and is currently associated with the Vice Lord Nation gang. His criminal history includes convictions for fraud, possession of stolen property, vehicle theft, and multiple violations of probation.

“He has also been convicted of fraud, receiving stolen property, receiving a stolen vehicle, vehicle theft, and multiple probation violations,” DHS said.

Sahal Osman Shidane and Mukthar Mohamed Ali, also from Somali, have been taken into custody. They have been convicted of “criminal sexual conduct with a minor aged 13–15” and “assault, fraud, robbery, and larceny,” respectively, the DHS said.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., ripped President Trump on Wednesday after he referred to her and Somali migrants as “garbage.” (The Washington Post/Getty; Kevin Dietsch/Getty)

Two Mexican nationals captured during the operation, which began on Dec. 1, have been convicted of felony smuggling aliens and aggravated assault with a weapon, the DHS added. 

The Justice Department also filed federal charges Thursday against a convicted sex offender in Minnesota who allegedly kidnapped and raped a woman he met on Snapchat in September.   

The Justice Department filed federal charges Thursday against Abdimahat Bille Mohamed. (DHS)

Abdimahat Bille Mohamed, 28, had been sentenced in May in two unrelated sexual assault cases, but under a plea agreement, a judge allowed him to serve no prison time.

“This Somali national in Minnesota is charged with raping a minor and multiple adult women before being detained only to be quickly released by a local court, after which he committed yet another rape. This horrific case illustrates how left-wing soft-on-crime policies and vetting failures put innocent people at dire risk,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “If Minnesota will not protect its own people, the Department of Justice will do it for them.” 

“I can tell you, there are more charges to come,” Bondi added during an appearance Friday on “Fox & Friends.” “And again, this is good police work. They took his DNA, ran his DNA through databases for all these unsolved rapes. So let’s wait and see how many charges come after that.”

President Donald Trump called Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., “garbage” during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, accusing her and fellow Somali migrants in the U.S. of coming into the country and offering nothing but complaints.

In response to Trump, Omar said the president’s “obsession with me is creepy.” 

“I hope he gets the help he desperately needs,” she said on X.

“The president fails to realize how deeply Somali Americans love this country. We are doctors, teachers, and elected leaders working to make our country better. We will not let Trump intimidate or debilitate us,” she added in another post.