The Trump administration has arrested hundreds of criminal illegal aliens since launching what Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials described as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever deployed in Minneapolis, according to federal authorities.
The operation, which has involved more than 2,000 ICE officers sent to the Twin Cities over the past week, has focused on locating and arresting individuals with extensive criminal records, including convictions for murder, sexual assault, and crimes against children.
ICE announced the most recent round of arrests in a statement that identified those taken into custody as “the worst criminal offenders in the world,” while criticizing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for policies the agency said have contributed to making the area a destination for violent offenders seeking to avoid law enforcement.
“Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are encouraging this behavior with their rhetoric of lawlessness, while their sanctuary policies continue to ensure that the worst of the worst criminal alien offenders flock to their state in a vain attempt to escape justice,” ICE wrote in its statement.
The agency also accused “violent rioters and agitators” of attempting to shield criminal illegal aliens by “interfering and obstructing” ICE operations during the enforcement action.
Federal officials released details on several of the individuals arrested during the operation.
Among those cited was Sriudorn Phaivan, a Laotian national convicted of strongarm sodomy of a boy and strongarm sodomy of a girl, along with another aggravated sex offense.
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His criminal history also includes nine counts of larceny, four counts of fraud, and multiple burglary, drug, and theft offenses.
ICE also identified Tou Vang, a criminal illegal alien from Laos convicted of sexual assault and sodomy of a girl under the age of 13, as well as procuring a child for prostitution.
Chong Vue, another Laotian national, was listed as having convictions for strongarm rape of a 12-year-old girl, kidnapping a child with intent to sexually assault her, and vehicle theft.
Gabriel Figueroa Gama, a Mexican national, was previously removed from the United States in 2002 and later convicted of homicide, battery, assault, and amphetamine possession.
Abdirashid Adosh Elmi, a Somali national, was cited as having a homicide conviction. Another Somali national, Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed, has been convicted of two counts of negligent manslaughter with a vehicle, two counts of driving under the influence, larceny, and damage to property.
ICE further identified Gilberto Salguero Landaverde, a Salvadoran national and illegal immigrant, as having three homicide convictions. Mariama Sia Kanu, of Sierra Leone, has been convicted of two counts of homicide, four DUIs, three counts of larceny, and burglary.
Thai Lor, a Laotian national with a final order of removal dated June 15, 2009, has been convicted of two counts of homicide.
Vice President J.D. Vance addressed the arrests in a statement released Saturday night, stressing the national security implications of the enforcement action.
“Arresting and deporting these people is absolutely critical to national security. National Democrats are going to get our law enforcement killed if they don’t stop lying about this issue and the people working to keep us safe,” Vance said.
Arresting and deporting these people is absolutely critical to national security. National democrats are going to get our law enforcement killed if they don’t stop lying about this issue and the people working to keep us safe. https://t.co/ruh68LJ4Wk
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 11, 2026
Walz and Frey have publicly opposed ICE operations in Minnesota, including the current enforcement effort.
Frey issued a profane rebuke of federal agents during an expletive-filled press conference following the death of protester Renee Nicole Good, telling ICE to “get the f**k out of Minneapolis.”
BREAKING: Mayor Frey tells ICE “get the fck out of Minneapolis” or more will be kiIIed pic.twitter.com/vfWryQWL7n
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 7, 2026
Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent last week after she drove her SUV into an officer, according to federal authorities and video evidence.
Walz has also criticized immigration enforcement in the state, previously describing ICE actions as “reckless” and comparing agents to the “Gestapo.”
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Border Czar Tom Homan addressed media coverage and public interference with ICE operations. Homan accused news outlets of “normalizing” efforts to obstruct federal agents carrying out arrests.
Good, along with others in her community, participated in training sessions with a group known as “ICE Watch,” which taught tactics intended to disrupt immigration enforcement activities, according to Homan.
“We need to enforce the law and arrest these bad guys. We’ve already arrested over 1,000 people in [Minnesota] and we’re going to continue to do exactly what Congress has allowed us to do, and what the law allows us to do,” Homan told Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream.
Federal officials have said the enforcement operation in Minneapolis is ongoing and focused on individuals with documented criminal histories, while state and local leaders continue to voice opposition to ICE activity within their jurisdictions.
