Federal agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement have taken down more than a dozen dangerous offenders in Minnesota this week, part of a broader push to clear out criminals who entered the country illegally. The arrests come as Operation Metro Surge ramps up, with DHS reporting over 1,500 individuals detained across the state since the effort kicked off last month. These include murderers, sex offenders, and drug dealers, many with long rap sheets that paint a grim picture of the threats lurking in local communities.
Among those hauled in, Abdikani Noor Ibrahim from Somalia stands out with convictions for 17 crimes, ranging from larceny and vehicle theft to domestic violence and terroristic threats. Said Abdulahi Elmi, also from Somalia, got nailed for drug possession, fraud, and attempted burglary, on top of 20 other charges. Vang Pao Lee from Laos has a record including attempted sexual conduct with a minor under 16 and multiple DUIs. Jose Alejandro Alvarado from El Salvador was convicted of sexual assault on a child, while Alfonso Gregorio-Lopez from Guatemala faced charges for attempted sexual assault.
The list goes on with Enrique Rodriguez-Martinez from Mexico, convicted of altering a weapon’s ID, domestic violence, and fleeing prosecution. Joel Cuautle-Ocelotl, another Mexican national, has assault and illegal re-entry on his sheet. Brian Kenny Ardon racked up assault with a dangerous weapon and larceny. Juan Jose Fuentes Huezo from El Salvador has domestic violence and shoplifting convictions. Isaac Marin Ramirez from Mexico was caught for identity theft and selling cocaine and amphetamines. Bashir Ali Kulmie from Somalia got hit for drug trafficking. Marco Antonio Heras Angulo from Mexico sold meth, and Juan Pablo Morales Ayala from Venezuela laundered money.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin laid it out plain: “In the face of violent attacks, ICE law enforcement arrested pedophiles, rapists, and drug traffickers in Minneapolis yesterday.” She added, “Every single day our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from American communities. We will not let rioters slow us down from making Minnesota safe again — something Governor Walz and Mayor Frey REFUSED to do.”
Recent reports from CBS Minnesota put the total arrests higher, at around 1,694 for the year, with a heavy focus on the Twin Cities. The operation surged with 2,000 agents flooding in, turning Minneapolis into what one former DHS official called “the new Chicago.” But it’s not without pushback—crowds have clashed with agents, blocking vehicles and forcing the use of pepper spray in neighborhoods like Cedar-Riverside. Activists claim overreach, like agents entering a hospital to detain a patient or targeting an Augsburg University student, but DHS insists these are warranted moves against verified threats.
Governor Tim Walz fired back in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing agents of detaining U.S. citizens unlawfully. Noem, who joined a raid in St. Paul to cuff an Ecuadorian wanted for murder and sexual assault back home, defended the costs: “The American taxpayer is grateful that that resource allocation has been put here.” Walz, meanwhile, decried President Trump’s comments on Somali refugees as “vile, racist lies,” but the arrests tell a different story, with many from that community tied to serious crimes.
This crackdown didn’t happen in a vacuum. Under the previous administration, borders stood wide open, allowing millions to pour in unchecked, including those with violent histories. Some whisper it’s no accident—Minnesota’s sanctuary policies drew them like a magnet, perhaps to swell voter rolls or sow division in once-stable heartland states. Now, with Trump back at the helm, the cleanup begins, exposing how deep the rot went.
Families in Minneapolis deserve streets free from predators, and these arrests deliver a measure of that justice. Yet the riots and obstructions raise questions: Why fight so hard to keep dangerous people around? It suggests a darker agenda at play, one that prioritizes politics over public safety.
FOX 9 reports confirm the scale, with over 1,000 arrests since December and ongoing protests. ICE pushed through, nabbing more in the face of chaos. The New York Times noted violent attacks on agents but steady progress in removing pedophiles and rapists.
DHS vows to press on: “We will not let violence or rioters slow us down from fulfilling the American people’s mandate to remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from American neighborhoods.”
As flights carry detainees out from MSP Airport, the message is clear: Minnesota is reclaiming its security. The operation may wrap in 30 days, but the impact lingers, a reminder that enforcing the law means standing firm against those who’d rather see it broken. For residents tired of the crime wave, this is long overdue relief.
Those arrested include:
Abdikani Noor Ibrahim, a criminal illegal alien and registered sex offender from Somalia convicted of seventeen crimes including four counts of larceny, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, forgery, domestic violence, threatening terroristic state offenses, driving under the influence of liquor, intimidation, escape from custody, and property damage.
Said Abdulahi Elmi, a criminal illegal alien from Somalia convicted of possession of opium or derivatives, driving under the influence, possession of a hallucinogen, fraud, attempt to commit burglary, and larceny and charged with 20 other crimes.
Vang Pao Lee, a criminal illegal alien from Laos convicted of attempted criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 16 years, domestic violence, receiving stolen property, contempt of court, and driving under the influence of liquor.
Jose Alejandro Alvarado, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador convicted of sexual assault on a child.
Alfonso Gregorio-Lopez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala convicted of attempted sexual assault.
Enrique Rodriguez-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of altering identification on a weapon, domestic violence, flight to avoid prosecution, two counts of driving under the influence of liquor, and larceny.
Joel Cuautle-Ocelotl, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of assault, resisting an officer, illegal re-entry, and driving under the influence of liquor.
Brian Kenny Ardon, a criminal illegal alien convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon, drug possession, and larceny.
Juan Jose Fuentes Huezo, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador convicted of domestic violence, shoplifting, and disorderly conduct.
Isaac Marin Ramirez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of identity theft, selling cocaine, and selling amphetamine.
Bashir Ali Kulmie, a criminal illegal alien from Somalia convicted of drug trafficking and giving a peace officer a fake name.
Marco Antonio Heras Angulo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of selling methamphetamine.
Juan Pablo Morales Ayala, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela convicted of money laundering.
