A massive federal operation deploying roughly 2,000 agents to Minneapolis has sparked nationwide attention, but the real story behind this surge reveals a complex web of unsubstantiated viral claims, alleged fraud schemes, and immigration enforcement that’s far more nuanced than headlines suggest.
Story Overview
- DHS deployed approximately 1,000 additional federal agents to Minneapolis-St. Paul in a 30-day operation starting in early January 2026
- The operation targets alleged fraud in state child care subsidies linked to Somali-run daycares, not a pure immigration crackdown
- The surge was triggered by a viral but unsubstantiated video claiming fake daycare operations
- Total agent count reaches roughly 2,000 when including existing personnel with extended deployments
The Viral Video That Sparked Federal Action
Conservative content creator Nick Shirley released a 43-minute video alleging that Somali-operated daycares in Minneapolis were receiving federal funds without providing actual services. The video went viral despite lacking substantiation, catching the attention of high-profile Trump administration officials including VP JD Vance and FBI Director Kash Patel, who amplified its claims across social media platforms.
Daycare operators pushed back against the allegations, with some reporting intimidation tactics including masked intruders. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the federal response but remained vague on specific numbers and operational details, framing the deployment as a routine fraud investigation with immigration enforcement components.
Beyond Immigration: A Multi-Agency Fraud Investigation
The Minneapolis operation involves agents from ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection, but fraud detection takes precedence over pure immigration enforcement. This distinguishes the current surge from earlier 2025 ICE raids that detained over 400 immigrants, many of them Somali, with existing deportation orders.
The 30-day operation builds on Trump’s broader multi-city enforcement strategy, which has included deployments to Washington D.C. and Memphis with National Guard support. Minneapolis represents a testing ground for combining fraud investigations with immigration enforcement, potentially setting precedent for similar operations nationwide.
Minnesota Pushes Back Against Federal Overreach
State and local Minnesota officials have filed lawsuits challenging federal immigration actions, viewing the surge as executive overreach that disrupts community relations. The Somali community, which Trump has repeatedly linked to fraud and crime narratives throughout his political career, faces heightened tensions as agents conduct investigations in their neighborhoods.
The operation’s impact extends beyond immediate enforcement actions. Community leaders report increased fear among Somali immigrants, while the broader Minneapolis area braces for potential economic and social disruption. The federal response energizes Trump’s political base while raising questions about due process and community targeting based on unverified social media content.
Sources:
DHS deploying a surge of federal agents to Minnesota
ICE to send 2,000 federal agents to Minneapolis in immigration crackdown
