124,000 Somalis Disappear Overnight as Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Engulfs Minneapolis

124,000 Somalis ‘Vanish Overnight’ as ICE Dragnet Descends on Minneapolis: Fraud, Chaos, and Political Fallout

Minneapolis, MN – The city of Minneapolis has been thrust into the national spotlight following a dramatic escalation in immigration enforcement and a wave of allegations surrounding widespread fraud in state-funded programs. In an unprecedented move, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have intensified their operations across Minnesota, leading to claims that entire Somali communities are “shutting down” and over 124,000 individuals have “vanished overnight.”

ICE Operations Ignite Chaos

The surge began with what ICE described as a “targeted vehicle stop” in South Minneapolis, which quickly devolved into chaos as crowds gathered and tensions flared. According to ICE, agents were attacked by a group of “rioters,” prompting them to draw their firearms. The agency later confirmed the arrest of two U.S. citizens for assaulting federal officers during the confrontation.

Witnesses recounted scenes of escalating violence and panic, with snowballs thrown, agents swinging batons, and the deployment of chemical agents. Scanner audio captured frantic requests for backup, as law enforcement struggled to contain what officials described as “the most tense and violent confrontation” since the start of Operation Metro Surge.

“We only have a few officers, but we have 60 to 70 agitators fighting them,” one officer called out over the radio. The standoff, which unfolded near the Caramel Mall, saw crowds swelling and chasing ICE agents, with local deputies forming lines to separate federal officers from the mob.

Political Accusations and Community Outrage

The ICE dragnet has sparked outrage among activists and elected officials, many of whom accuse federal authorities of targeting Somali Americans indiscriminately. Representative Ilhan Omar, herself a Somali immigrant, has been at the center of the controversy. Critics allege that Omar and other state leaders have enabled fraud in taxpayer-funded programs, citing her introduction of the 2020 Meals Act, which was later linked to fraudulent activities.

Omar has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the attacks as “vile comments” and “creepy obsessions” by political opponents. “The Somali community is resilient and strong,” Omar said, responding to claims that her family was intentionally targeted by ICE. “We are coping with mocking them back. You don’t allow the words of a senile, deranged person to get to you.”

Yet, the accusations persist. Conservative media and political figures have amplified claims that Omar’s citizenship may be in jeopardy due to alleged immigration fraud involving her father’s naturalization. While Omar asserts she became a citizen when her father was naturalized in 2000, critics point to the absence of official records as grounds for further investigation.

Fraud Allegations Rock Minnesota

Beneath the surface of the ICE crackdown lies an even deeper crisis: rampant fraud in Minnesota’s government programs. The Feeding Our Future scandal, which saw millions intended for child nutrition siphoned off, has implicated state officials, nonprofit leaders, and members of the Somali community.