The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported on recent immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, including an initiative referred to as "Operation Metro Surge." These operations have led to over 1,000 arrests of individuals identified by the agency as having criminal convictions. DHS officials have stated that these enforcement actions occurred despite a reported lack of cooperation from certain local jurisdictions and officials in Minnesota, specifically naming Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey.
Operation Details and Key Arrests
DHS announced that Operation Metro Surge focused on apprehending non-citizens in Minnesota who have criminal convictions. One arrest highlighted by DHS was that of Tomas Espin Tapia in Minneapolis. According to DHS, Mr. Tapia, a non-citizen from Ecuador, is wanted for murder in Ecuador and faces an active warrant for sexual assault in Connecticut. Records indicate he entered the United States on October 23, 2022, and has previous convictions in Ecuador for robbery and extortion. An Immigration Judge issued a final order of removal against him on February 28, 2025, after he failed to appear for his immigration hearing.
DHS reported an increase in law enforcement actions in Minnesota, resulting in over 1,000 arrests of individuals identified by the agency as having criminal histories. In Minneapolis, over 150 non-citizens were arrested on a single recent day as part of these efforts.
DHS Claims Regarding Local Cooperation
DHS officials stated that the operations, including Operation Metro Surge, achieved success despite a reported lack of cooperation from local jurisdictions and officials. DHS specifically stated that Governor Tim Walz has declined to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since the beginning of the Trump administration.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that Governor Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey have not permitted ICE law enforcement access to their jails. DHS reported that approximately 470 individuals identified by the agency as undocumented with criminal convictions have been released in Minnesota since the Trump administration began. DHS urged Governor Walz and Mayor Frey to honor ICE detainer requests for over 1,360 individuals, some identified as having violent criminal backgrounds, who are currently in state custody. McLaughlin confirmed that law enforcement efforts to remove individuals with criminal records would continue.
Individuals Arrested by DHS
DHS identified the following individuals as having been arrested during these operations, citing their origins and reported criminal histories:
- Tomas Espin Tapia (Ecuador): Wanted for murder in Ecuador, active warrant for sexual assault in Connecticut, previous convictions for robbery and extortion in Ecuador.
- Mong Cheng (Laos): Convicted of homicide, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and assault; previously arrested for arson.
- Kao Yang (Laos): Convicted of sexual assault, lewd acts with a minor, and procuring a prostitute.
- Blayon Lawrence Yuoh (Liberia): Convicted of rape, robbery, sexual assault, larceny, obstructing police, assault, and possession of stolen property.
- Tong Xiong (Laos): Convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, sexual assault, kidnapping, assault, armed robbery, robbery, and probation violation.
- Julio Desiderio Naula-Jara (Ecuador): Convicted of sexual assault, domestic violence, assault, driving under the influence, and probation violation.
- Hoang Xuan Nguyen (Vietnam): Convicted of rape, second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 13, and driving under the influence of liquor.
- Jozias Natanael Carmona-Pena (El Salvador): Charged with lewd acts with a minor.
- Venustiano Cardoso (Mexico): Convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of cocaine.
- Carmen Mireya Alarcon Rivera (Ecuador): Convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine on board a vessel and international conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Thai Vang (Laos): Convicted of fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, felony larceny, aggravated felony robbery, driving under the influence of liquor, and probation violation.
- Jai Vang (Laos): Convicted of armed robbery.
- Meng Khong Yang (Laos): Twelve criminal convictions including indecent exposure, drug manufacturing and sales, burglary, and fraud.
- Joshua Fornoh (Liberia): Convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and providing false information to law enforcement.
- Rene Mercedes Hernandez (El Salvador): Convicted of sex assault and obstructing justice.
- Chia Yang (Laos): Convicted of drug distribution, motor vehicle theft, fleeing police, and driving after revocation.
- Irving Cadena Gonzalez (Mexico): Convicted of cocaine possession, marijuana possession, minor in possession of alcohol, and reckless driving.
- Teng Houa Vang (Thailand): Convicted of domestic assault, pleaded guilty to terroristic threats and violation of a protection order. Also faced charges including arson, peeping tom, obstructing police, trespassing, assault, drug possession, and property damage.
- Francisco Salazar-Solorzano (El Salvador): Charged with assault, domestic violence, and driving under the influence of liquor.
- Victor Javier Bahena-Sandoval (Mexico): Arrested for domestic violence and convicted of four counts of disorderly conduct and illegal re-entry.
- Lorenzo Armillas Llaurado (Spain): Convicted of felony distribution of a controlled substance.
- Santiago Antunes Mendiola (Mexico): Charged with battery.
- Michael Opeoluwa Egbele (Nigeria): Convicted of fraud – impersonating.