Federal officers have rolled out a significant operation in Minnesota aimed at uncovering, apprehending, and deporting individuals involved in defrauding U.S. citizens, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“Our investigative team is spearheading a large-scale initiative to track down, detain, and expel those committing fraud against the American public. We aim to eradicate the widespread deception afflicting Minnesota,” the agency announced on X.

Photographs depict DHS agents at work inside a Minneapolis store as part of the operation targeting individuals suspected of fraudulent activities. This initiative underscores the agency’s commitment to maintaining integrity and security. (Department of Homeland Security)

Fox News Digital has contacted DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further details.

The DHS’s declaration follows an announcement made the previous day, revealing an investigative operation in Minneapolis. This move came after an independent journalist’s video surfaced, which raised questions about daycare center operators in the region.

Videos posted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday showed Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents going door-to-door questioning businesses. 

Minnesota has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after authorities revealed multi-million fraud operations in the state, resulting in dozens of arrests and indictments. 

Over the weekend, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau had moved resources into the state, pointing to the Feeding Our Future investigation, which uncovered an at least $250 million scheme that siphoned federal food aid intended for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Patel’s announcement came in the wake of a viral video posted on social media Friday by independent journalist Nick Shirley that highlighted alleged fraud involving Minnesota childcare and learning centers. 

In the video, many of the facilities appeared non-operational despite allegedly receiving millions of dollars in government aid.

The video quickly went viral and prompted several Republican lawmakers to call for an investigation and to call out Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accusing his office of failing to oversee where and how taxpayer funds were being used. 

State officials have pushed back on the alleged fraud. At a Monday press conference, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown said prior inspections of the centers did not uncover fraud and that regulators are conducting additional unannounced visits to review concerns raised by the video.

“We are aware of a video that’s being circulated that has gained local and national attention about childcare centers in Minnesota,” Brown said. “While we have questions about some of the methods that were used in the video, we do take the concerns that the video raises about fraud very seriously.”