00:00Minnesota is the target for what ICE is calling its largest immigration enforcement operation ever.
00:052,000 agents are reportedly in the state to arrest immigrants here illegally with a focus on criminals.
00:12And in regard to that, Governor Walz has some pretty strong words about what's happening.
00:16Fox 9's Karen Scullin joining us live from Minneapolis with a look at what unfolded today. Karen?
00:22A lot of agents in the metro today.
00:25And Operation Metro Surge had some people cheering their efforts.
00:29Other people, though, like Governor Tim Walz, were angry that it was happening at all.
00:34Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, with agents today in the Twin Cities as they arrest a man they identify
00:40as Tomas Espintapia,
00:42an illegal immigrant convicted of robbery and wanted for murder and sexual assault in his home country of Ecuador.
00:49Noem speaking to the man through a translator.
00:52Do you know why we're here today?
00:57You will be held accountable for your crimes.
01:002,000 agents are on the ground in Minnesota for what they say is the biggest immigration enforcement operation ever.
01:06We did see dozens and dozens of agents come and go from the Whipple Federal Building for much of the
01:12day.
01:13Today, Governor Walz strongly criticizing the federal government's effort.
01:17We are under assault like no other time in our state's history because of a petty, vile administration that doesn't
01:27care about the well-being of Minnesotans.
01:30Walz also says the operation is not helping the people here.
01:34They'll be wearing masks, being here in Minnesota, harassing them.
01:37If you want us to fix fraud, come and help us.
01:40Come and help us do that.
01:41They're not interested in that.
01:42But DHS says they're protecting Minnesotans with the operation, adding that cities with sanctuary protections like Minneapolis attract illegal immigrants
01:51who hide in plain sight.
01:53Going door to door to a lot of these suspected, you know, companies that are not only hiring illegal aliens
01:59that shouldn't even be in the country, but also being involved in potential human smuggling, human trafficking cases, but also
02:06looking at these fraud cases as well.
02:07Although it has not been said how long Operation Metro Surge will continue, Homeland Security posted on social media this
02:15afternoon, quote, we're not leaving until the problem is solved.
02:21Now, a lot of people capturing some of these arrests in Bloomington, St. Paul, Maple Grove, South Minneapolis, really kind
02:29of all over a lot of it on social media today, and I imagine in the days to come.
02:35We're live in Minneapolis, Karen Scullin, Fox 9.
