Federal immigration agents are converging on Minnesota as the state grapples with a significant fraud scandal. The focus is squarely on the Minneapolis-St. Paul region, based on information from unnamed law enforcement officials reported by CBS News. More than 2,000 agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are expected to embark on a month-long mission aimed at combating immigration crimes. This deployment marks a considerable investment of resources.
“This is a massive resource allocation,” one official emphasized, noting that Minneapolis could soon become the “new Chicago” in the fight against such crimes. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino, who has previously led operations in Chicago, is set to supervise this substantial initiative. The operation began on a recent Sunday, mobilizing hundreds of agents from HSI and many more from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, the branch responsible for deportations.
Recent reports indicate that the operation could involve up to 600 HSI agents and as many as 1,500 ICE officers. This move follows a notable enforcement campaign late last year, in which nearly 700 individuals were arrested in the Twin Cities area.
The timing of this significant surge comes on the heels of over 90 indictments related to extensive fraud cases that have rocked the state. The fallout from these revelations has placed Democratic Governor Tim Walz in a precarious position, forcing him to rethink his political aspirations for another term. In a surprising announcement, Walz stated that he will not run for re-election, halting his previously ambitious plans that included a bid for vice president in 2024.
Joe Teirab, a former federal prosecutor involved in investigating the fraud cases, didn’t mince words regarding Walz’s leadership. Teirab accused the governor of permitting fraudsters to swindle billions from taxpayers while taking no action. “The only fraud scheme Walz has chosen to end is his political career,” Teirab remarked, calling attention to Walz’s abandonment of future political goals.
Adding pressure to the situation, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer is seeking to bring state officials, including Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, before a hearing on the fraud scandal. Comer remarked on the gravity of the situation, asserting that if neither Walz nor Ellison appears, it would be “an admission of guilt.” He called for accountability, noting their familiarity with congressional etiquette from prior experiences in Congress. “They know how serious this is. This has gotten the attention of the national public,” Comer stated, highlighting the scope and significance of the allegations facing the state’s leadership.
As federal resources flood into Minnesota, the implications of the fraud scandal are resounding, indicating a major turning point for the state and its political landscape.
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