A federal operation will target undocumented Somali immigrants according to a report published Tuesday morning by the New York Times.
The official, according to the New York Times, said others who are still seeking legal status could be "swept up as well."
Tuesday's report came just days after President Trump said Somali refugees are "completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota" in a post that included Trump calling Governor Tim Walz a slur for people with intellectual disabilities.
Minneapolis and St. Paul leaders repond
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey was joined by St. Paul mayor Melvin Carter early Tuesday afternoon at a press conference to discuss the pending enforcements.
"Terrorizing certain groups within our community, that's not American," Frey said. "That's not what we are about. We're going to do right by every single person in our cities."
Minneapolis City Councilman Jamal Osman, who is Somali-American, said many people within the Twin Cities communities are living in fear.
"I want you to know the City of Minneapolis stands behind you, we are here to stand with you," Osman said. "Our community has lived in fear in the past and we're not going that divide us."
Osman also criticized President Trump.
"Obviously everyone knows that our president is racist, xenophobic, and Islamophobic," he said. "We are going to fight that. America has a history of fighting and stopping those kind of individuals who continue to divide people and communities."
Minnesota investigations
On Monday, federal officials announced investigations in Minnesota including allegations that Minnesota tax dollars may have been diverted to the terrorist organization al-Shabaab.
WCCO political analyst Blois Olson says it's not a coincidence that these investigations are coming with Walz seeking a third term.
"Politics, and possibly some sloppiness has led to the federal government putting the squeeze on Minnesota," Blois told Vineeta Sawkar on the WCCO Morning News. "With the idea that it's going to be politically unattractive for Gov. Walz.
Senator Zaynab Mohamed (DFL-Minneapolis) issued the following statement in response to the ICE operation report:
“Donald Trump’s obsession with Minnesota, Minneapolis and Somali people is unhinged and unhealthy. When ICE agents interact with Somalis here, they will find what we’ve been saying for years: almost all of us are U.S. citizens. This act of political theater is a waste of taxpayer money and will result in the harassment of peaceful American citizens trying to go about their day. Trump’s supposed ‘crackdown’ and his constant lies about Somalis in Minnesota are not part of an effort to find criminals. This is about demonizing immigrants and Muslims, exciting MAGA racists and distracting Americans from the corruption crimes the Trump family is committing every single day.”
Transportation secretary Sean Duffy on Monday gave state officials 30 days to revoke illegally issued commercial driver's licenses or risk losing up to $30.4 million dollars in federal highway funding.
This comes after a recent audit found that one-third of Minnesota's non-domiciled CDL's were issued illegally.
Senator Cal Bahr (R- East Bethel), a CDL driver, issued the following statement:
“I applaud Secretary Sean Duffy for his taking this matter seriously. As a commercial driver since 1989, before Commercial Driver’s License regulations were in place, I have seen firsthand the deterioration of safety on our nation’s highways. The Commercial Driver’s License was implemented to protect the motoring public from unsafe drivers, many of whom are carrying large (80,000 lbs) or hazardous (gasoline or TNT) on our roads.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter are expected to address the latest ICE Operation targeting the Twin Cities in a Tuesday afternoon press conference.