Immigration Crackdown in Minnesota Sparks Student Protests
USCIS says 275 cases flagged in Twin Cities sweep; students rally after surprise visits on campus
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS SAID ON TUESDAY they conducted nearly 1,000 site visits and in-person interviews across the Twin Cities as part of a sweeping fraud investigation that has rattled international students at the University of Minnesota and drawn sharp criticism from local leaders.
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The operation, dubbed “Operation Twin Shield,” began Sept. 19 and targeted 1,000 cases involving international marriages, workplaces and student visas. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow said agents identified 275 cases of “fraud, non-compliance, or public safety or national security concerns.”
International students reported surprise visits from immigration officers at apartment complexes near the university, including Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative in St. Paul and GrandMarc Seven Corners in Minneapolis. Some students said they were questioned about their visas and employment.
“This community is probably majority international students,” said Giang Thai, a resident of Commonwealth Terrace and former international student. “I definitely feel very scared.”
About 50 students rallied Monday at the university’s Coffman Memorial Union, denouncing the surprise visits and calling on school officials to do more to protect immigrant students.
Local attorneys expressed skepticism about the government’s claims, saying USCIS has shifted from processing applications to carrying out enforcement actions. Alleged violations cited by Edlow included visa overstays, fraudulent marriages and misuse of H1B and F1 visas. Officials said charges are expected in the coming weeks.
Separately, the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday filed suit against Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Hennepin County over so-called sanctuary policies. The lawsuit argues local rules interfere with federal immigration enforcement and result in the release of people who would otherwise face deportation.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called the lawsuit “baseless political retaliation.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city would not back down, adding: “Donald Trump has built his career on attacking immigrants and dividing Americans, and now he’s dragging our city into court.”
With the crackdown and lawsuit landing in the same week, Minnesota has become a flashpoint in the administration’s aggressive immigration agenda.
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What exactly is Minnesota doing to 'not back down' as the Mayor says?