Washington, D.C. January 17, 2026 – The White House on Saturday released a series of posts on X detailing the arrests of several individuals described as the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota, part of an ongoing federal immigration enforcement effort known as Operation Metro Surge. The announcements come amid heightened friction between the Trump administration and Minnesota’s Democratic leadership, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who have accused federal agents of overreach and brutality.
In the thread posted by the official White House account, the administration criticized Minnesota’s “sanctuary politicians” for allegedly releasing nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens back into communities since President Donald Trump took office. “ICE working every single day to remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from terrorizing their state,” the main post stated.
The posts highlighted specific arrests made during the operation, including:
- Hien Quoc Thai, a Vietnamese national convicted of murder.
- Brian Anjain, a Marshall Islands national with 24 convictions, including assault causing bodily injury, domestic abuse, public nudity, theft, interference with official acts, public intoxication, and trespassing.
- Pedro Lopez-Brito, a Guatemalan national convicted of assault with intent to inflict serious injury and drug possession, previously charged with aggravated battery.
- Yadrian Leyva Leyva, a Cuban national convicted of larceny, forgery, identity theft, and possession and transportation of tools for forgery/counterfeiting.
- Eddy Xol-Lares, a Venezuelan national convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel.
- Hugo Ricardo Vicente Che Ba, a Guatemalan national convicted of domestic violence.
- Marlon Leiva-Orellana, a Honduran national convicted of property damage and three counts of driving under the influence, previously charged with conspiracy to commit robbery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, carrying a concealed gun, possession of a stolen firearm, and resisting a public officer.
- Jose Daniel Valdez Garcia, a Mexican national convicted of fraud.
- Ionut Pedro Dumitru, a Romanian national charged with grand theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Additional individuals mentioned in related Department of Homeland Security (DHS) releases include Luis Angel Marquez Leal (Mexico), convicted of disorderly conduct and previously charged with narcotics and weapons offenses; Martinus Dawid Kunneke (South Africa), convicted of violating a restraining order and previously charged with domestic violence and drug possession; and Lujan Alejandro Lazaro Ortega (Venezuela), convicted of violating a court order and previously charged with assault.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated in a press release: “As our law enforcement are facing rampant violence against them, they arrested murderers, drug traffickers, and an illegal with 24 criminal convictions in Minneapolis yesterday. These are the criminals Governor Walz and Mayor Frey are protecting. No American wants these criminals for neighbors.” The department emphasized that these arrests occur despite non-cooperation from state and local officials, who have reportedly refused to honor over 1,360 ICE detainers for individuals in custody, including violent offenders.
Operation Metro Surge, launched in late 2025, has resulted in over 2,500 arrests in Minnesota, focusing on individuals with criminal histories such as murder, child rape, gang affiliations, and drug trafficking. DHS claims the operation targets “heinous criminals” released due to sanctuary policies, which they argue endanger communities.
However, Minnesota officials have pushed back strongly. Governor Walz, in a statewide address on January 14, described the federal presence as a “campaign of organized brutality” and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to support local law enforcement amid protests. He urged residents to peacefully document ICE activities and emphasized that the operation has shifted from immigration enforcement to intimidation, citing door-to-door raids, traffic stops, and detentions at public places like schools and grocery stores.
Mayor Frey has been even more direct, telling ICE agents to “get the f**k out of Minneapolis” following incidents including the fatal shooting of protester Renee Good on January 7 and another shooting on January 14 where a Venezuelan national was wounded after allegedly assaulting an officer. Frey has issued an executive order barring federal agents from using city property and joined a lawsuit with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her to halt the operation, alleging warrantless arrests and excessive force.
The conflict has escalated further with the U.S. Department of Justice investigating Walz and Frey for potentially conspiring to impede federal officers under 18 U.S.C. § 372, based on their public statements and policies. Both officials have dismissed the probe as political intimidation, with Frey stating, “I will not be intimidated.”
Protests against the operation have intensified, with clashes in Minneapolis leading to the deployment of National Guard Humvees. DHS has reported a 1,300% increase in assaults on ICE officers and a 3,200% rise in vehicular attacks, attributing this to “radical rhetoric” from state leaders.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections has refuted DHS claims of non-compliance with detainers as “categorically false,” asserting full cooperation where required.
As Operation Metro Surge continues, the standoff underscores deep divisions over immigration policy, with the Trump administration vowing to persist in removing threats despite local opposition. Walz and Frey maintain that the federal tactics endanger public safety and target communities indiscriminately.
For more details, see the full DHS press release and White House thread.
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