The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a significant announcement on Friday, revealing the apprehension of some of the most dangerous criminal illegal immigrants during an operation in Minnesota known as Operation Metro Surge. Among those arrested was an individual with an astonishing 24 criminal convictions.

The operation has sparked criticism from the DHS towards state and local officials for their lack of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

DHS highlighted the impact of ICE’s enforcement activities in sanctuary areas, drawing a sharp contrast with the stance taken by Minnesota’s leadership. The agency criticized Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for their policy of not honoring ICE detainers.

According to DHS, this policy has led to the release of numerous criminal illegal aliens back into communities across Minnesota.

“In a time when our law enforcement officers are facing increased violence, they have successfully apprehended murderers, drug traffickers, and an individual in Minneapolis with 24 criminal convictions,” stated DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “These are the types of criminals that Governor Walz and Mayor Frey are choosing to shield. No American would want such individuals as their neighbors.”

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.

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.

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.