Noem: DHS Arrested 10,000 'Criminal Illegal Aliens' in Minneapolis

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that federal authorities have arrested more than 10,000 “criminal illegal aliens” in Minneapolis.

She added that investigators have opened what she described as sweeping fraud probes totaling at least $19 billion, sharpening her criticism of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for what she called a failure to protect public safety.

In a statement, Noem said Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officers carried out the arrests and that about 3,000 were made in the past six weeks.

She said those arrested included murderers, rapists, child sex offenders, and other violent criminals.

Noem wrote: “PEACE AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNEAPOLIS! We have arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal aliens who were killing Americans, hurting children and reigning terror in Minneapolis because Tim Walz and Jacob Frey refuse to protect their own people and instead protect criminals.”

She continued, “In the last 6 weeks, our brave DHS law enforcement have arrested 3,000 criminal illegal aliens including vicious murderers, rapists, child pedophiles and incredibly dangerous individuals. A HUGE victory for public safety.”

Noem also alleged “massive fraud” in Minneapolis totaling at least $19 billion and said Homeland Security Investigations agents were conducting large-scale investigations aimed at recovering money and holding those responsible accountable.

Noem did not provide documentation supporting the $19 billion figure or identify which programs or cases it covered.

“There is MASSIVE Fraud in Minneapolis, at least $19 billion and that’s just the tip of iceberg,” Noem wrote. "Our Homeland Security Investigators are on the ground in Minneapolis conducting wide scale investigations to get justice for the American people who have been robbed blind.”

DHS did not immediately release records, names, or other details that would allow independent verification of Noem’s arrest claims, including how many of those arrested had prior convictions for violent crimes, where arrests occurred, or whether the figures referred to the city of Minneapolis, the broader Twin Cities area, or a longer time span.

The announcement came amid a high-profile federal enforcement surge in Minneapolis and St. Paul that has already drawn legal challenges and national attention.

The Justice Department is investigating whether Walz and Frey impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements, according to people familiar with the matter.

Both Walz and Frey have criticized the investigation and described it as intimidation.

The DHS operation has also become increasingly confrontational in recent weeks, including clashes with angry bystanders who have confronted federal agents during arrests.

A federal judge in Minneapolis has barred DHS agents from arresting peaceful protesters who are not suspected of crimes or obstructing officers, after residents alleged violations of their constitutional rights while observing or protesting immigration raids.

Noem’s fraud allegations also arrive against the backdrop of Minnesota’s long-running Feeding Our Future case, a high-profile federal investigation tied to pandemic-era child nutrition programs.

Minnesota’s Office of the Legislative Auditor summarized that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 70 individuals between September 2022 and February 2024 in connection with a suspected $250 million scheme involving federally funded nutrition programs, and said the alleged fraud centered on the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future.

Walz’s office previously said it had not received notice of the Justice Department investigation, while Frey said the probe appeared aimed at intimidating him for opposing what he called dangerous federal actions in the city.