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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) publicly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey after federal agents arrested an illegal immigrant sex offender in Minneapolis during a targeted enforcement operation. The arrest drew renewed attention to the state’s sanctuary-style policies and their impact on federal immigration enforcement.
ICE identified the suspect as Mahad Abdulkadir Yusuf, a Somali national unlawfully present in the United States. According to the agency, Yusuf was convicted in 2016 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for repeatedly forcing a victim to perform oral sex. Despite this conviction and his immigration status, ICE said Yusuf remained at large in Minneapolis for several years.
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Federal agents reportedly made multiple attempts to arrest Yusuf at his apartment but were unsuccessful after a building manager denied them access. ICE said those obstacles required agents to carry out a more complex, targeted operation to finally take him into custody. Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that the lack of access significantly delayed enforcement efforts.
Following the arrest, ICE directly blamed Minnesota’s sanctuary policies for the delay. In statements and social media posts, the agency said policies supported by Walz and Frey allowed a dangerous criminal to remain free and potentially victimize residents. ICE asserted that such policies hinder cooperation and complicate efforts to apprehend individuals with serious criminal histories.
Walz and Frey have consistently defended sanctuary-style policies, arguing they help build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. They say limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities encourages crime reporting and community cooperation without fear of immigration consequences. ICE, however, maintains that these policies can obstruct enforcement actions against violent offenders.
ICE reiterated that its primary mission is to target illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes, including sexual assault and homicide. The agency said Yusuf’s arrest highlights the challenges agents face when local cooperation is limited. While the Department of Homeland Security has not announced additional actions in Minneapolis, ICE said it will continue operations focused on individuals it considers threats to public safety.[/read]