Following the launch of its largest immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, the Trump administration has detained hundreds of undocumented immigrants, including individuals convicted of serious crimes like murder, sexual assault, and child rape.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently shared details of this operation, labeling those detained as “the world’s worst criminals,” and criticized local officials for supporting policies that allegedly attract violent offenders to the area.
ICE stated, “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey support actions that encourage this behavior through illegal rhetoric, and their sanctuary policies invite undesirable criminal elements into our state as they try to escape justice.”
Last week, over 2,000 ICE officers operated in Minneapolis, and the agency claimed that “violent rioters and agitators” were attempting to obstruct their efforts.
Among those apprehended were:
- Suriudon Paiwan, a Laotian national convicted of several sexual offenses, theft, fraud, and other crimes.
- Tou Van, an undocumented immigrant from Laos convicted of sexual assault against a girl under 13 and soliciting a child for prostitution.
- Trong Vue from Laos, found guilty of raping a minor and kidnapping with intent for sexual assault.
- Gabriel Figueroa Gama, previously deported from the U.S., was convicted of murder and other offenses.
- Somali native Abdirashid Adosh Elmi, convicted of murder.
- Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed, also from Somalia, found guilty of vehicular manslaughter and related charges.
- Gilberto Salguero Landaverde, a Salvadoran national who has been convicted of murder three times.
- Mariama Sia Kanu from Sierra Leone, convicted on multiple counts including murder and theft.
- Tai Rolle, a Laotian illegal immigrant with a previous final deportation order, who is also convicted of murder.
“Detaining and deporting these individuals is crucial for our national security. If we don’t acknowledge the reality of this situation and the efforts of those keeping us safe, we put law enforcement at risk,” stated Vice President J.D. Vance.
Both Governor Walz and Mayor Frey have openly opposed ICE’s activities, despite the violent histories of those arrested. After a protestor was shot by an ICE agent during a confrontation, Frey publicly called for ICE to “leave Minneapolis.” His press conference included strong language denouncing the agency.
Governor Walz described ICE’s actions in the state as “reckless,” making a comparison to historical police oppression.
On a Sunday Fox News segment, U.S. border official Tom Homan criticized the media for “normalizing” interference with ICE’s operations.
Many community members, including the protester who was shot, had participated in training provided by the “ICE Watch” group, focusing on ways to disrupt the enforcement actions.
Homan declared, “We need to apply the law and detain those who pose threats. We’ve already arrested over a thousand individuals nationwide, and we will continue to carry out our authorized duties.”
