About 1,700 migrants deported from Minnesota during winter ICE surge
Apr 3, 2026·Location: Minnesota, MN
Federal agents arrested approximately 3,400 people during an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota between December 2025 and March 2026, with nearly 1,700 deported, mostly to Mexico and Ecuador. Despite the operation's stated focus on Somali immigrants, only two people were deported to Somalia. Most detainees were held at Camp East Montana in Texas, a facility criticized for dangerous conditions, before deportation.
Sources
- Less than a quarter of those arrested during Operation Metro Surge were convicted criminals, data shows
- Half of those arrested by federal agents in Minnesota this winter have already been deported
mprnews.org·Apr 3, 2026·archived copy
- sctimes.com
- Over 3,500 people were detained during Operation Metro Surge. Here’s where they went.
- Newly released federal data shows majority of ICE arrestees in Minn. had no criminal record
dl-online.com·Mar 31, 2026·archived copy
- minnesotareformer.com
- Over 3,500 people were detained during Operation Metro Surge. Here's where they went. — Spot On Minnesota
More incidents in Minnesota
- Venezuelan man shot through door by ICE agent during raid; agent later chargedOct 4, 2026 · Minneapolis, MN
- Guatemalan man re-detained by ICE moments after judge ordered his releaseOct 1, 2026 · Fort Snelling, MN
- ICU nurse and U.S. citizen Alex Pretti shot 10 times by federal agents in MinneapolisSep 30, 2026 · Minneapolis, MN
- Minneapolis mother and legal observer fatally shot by ICE agent during enforcement operationSep 30, 2026 · Minneapolis, MN
- St. Paul man held at Guantánamo, allegedly beaten, deported to Somalia after mother's deathSep 25, 2026 · St. Paul, MN
- Mexican man re-arrested by plainclothes agents seconds after court-ordered releaseSep 25, 2026 · Fort Snelling, MN