EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: In a significant development, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed on Friday the apprehension of what it describes as some of the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. Among those detained was an individual with a staggering 24 criminal convictions.

The DHS did not hold back in its criticism of certain state and local officials, accusing them of hindering federal immigration enforcement efforts. This criticism was particularly directed at policies implemented by Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who, according to the agency, have been reluctant to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by not honoring ICE detainers.

Such policies, DHS argues, have led to the release of hundreds of criminal illegal immigrants back into communities across Minnesota, posing a potential risk to public safety. The agency underscored its point by highlighting the types of individuals detained in this operation, including those involved in violent crimes such as murder and drug trafficking.

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary, voiced strong concerns over these developments, stating, “As our law enforcement officers contend with increasing violence against them, they have managed to arrest murderers, drug traffickers, and an illegal immigrant with 24 prior convictions in Minneapolis. These are the kinds of criminals that Governor Walz and Mayor Frey appear to be protecting. Who would want such individuals residing in their neighborhood?”

“As our law enforcement are facing rampant violence against them, they arrested murderers, drug traffickers and an illegal with 24 criminal convictions in Minneapolis,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “These are the criminals Governor [Tim] Walz and Mayor [Jacob] Frey are protecting. No American wants these criminals for neighbors.”

DHS arrested more illegal criminal aliens Thursday during Operation Metro Surge, identifying 13 of them in a release first shared with Fox News. (DHS and Getty Images)

DHS said the arrests were made as part of Operation Metro Surge, a targeted enforcement effort focused on removing criminal illegal aliens from Minnesota neighborhoods. The department said the operation prioritizes offenders with serious criminal histories, including violent crimes.

According to DHS, criminals arrested in the state during the operation include Hien Quoc Thai, a Vietnamese national who was previously convicted of murder.

Brian Anjain from the Marshall Islands has 24 criminal convictions, including assault causing bodily injury, domestic abuse, public nudity, theft, interference with official acts, public intoxication and trespassing, DHS said.

Hien Quoc Thai of Vietnam was previously convicted of murder, according to DHS. (Department of Homeland Security)

Eddy Xol-Lares of Venezuela was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while aboard a vessel.

Those arrested also include criminal illegal immigrants from Guatemala, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, South Africa and Romania, according to DHS.

DHS said the operation also resulted in the arrests of people convicted of crimes including domestic violence, assault, fraud, identity theft, forgery, restraining order violations, property damage and multiple drunken driving offenses, with several facing prior charges involving kidnapping, robbery with deadly weapons, gun possession and narcotics offenses.

Brian Anjain from the Marshall Islands has 24 convictions, including assault causing bodily injury, domestic abuse, public nudity, theft, interference with official acts, public intoxication and trespassing, according to DHS. (Department of Homeland Security)

The department claims that since President Donald Trump took office, nearly 470 criminal illegal immigrants have been released back into Minnesota communities due to sanctuary-style policies.

DHS also said it is urging Walz and Frey to honor ICE detainers for more than 1,360 aliens, including violent criminals currently in custody, arguing that cooperation would improve public safety.

Additional information about those arrested nationwide is available through the agency’s public-facing database at wow.dhs.gov, which tracks enforcement actions involving serious offenders.