Kristi Noem claims 10,000 arrested in Minneapolis; slams Walz, Frey for ‘protecting criminals’

The Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced that more than 10,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested in the Minneapolis area since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, a claim that comes amid widespread protests against the administration’s deportation drive and intensified demonstrations following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old American woman Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said nearly 3,000 arrests have occurred in the past six weeks alone, following a significant surge of federal agents deployed to the region.




According to DHS, personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and other agencies have been involved in the operation.

“PEACE AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNEAPOLIS!” Noem wrote in a post on X, claiming those arrested included individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, sexual assault, and child exploitation.

She accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of failing to protect residents by opposing aggressive federal enforcement measures.

Mayor Frey drew national attention Sunday after describing the expanded ICE presence as an “invasion” during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union. He has repeatedly criticised the federal response as excessive.

Noem also alleged widespread fraud tied to Minnesota’s social services system, asserting that investigators are probing what she claimed could total at least $19 billion in fraudulent activity.

“There is MASSIVE Fraud in Minneapolis, at least $19 billion, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 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. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN,” she wrote.

The figure exceeds previous estimates cited by federal prosecutors, who have publicly referenced billions in alleged misuse of state and federal funds. DHS officials say Homeland Security Investigations agents are actively conducting inquiries across the Minneapolis area.

The announcement comes amid massive protests across the US following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis mother of three, who was killed by an ICE agent earlier this month. Her death has sparked huge outrage, with activists demanding accountability and an end to what they describe as violent ICE tactics.

In response to ongoing protests, the Pentagon confirmed that approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers stationed in Alaska have been placed on standby for potential deployment. Mayor Frey has called the move a “ridiculous” overreaction, emphasising that most demonstrations have remained peaceful.

On Sunday, the Department of Justice announced it is investigating protesters who disrupted services at a St. Paul church where a local ICE official reportedly serves as a pastor. Livestreamed footage from Black Lives Matter Minnesota showed demonstrators chanting “ICE out” and “justice for Renee Good” inside the church.