DHS fires back after Walz asks feds to ‘reassess’ enforcement in Minnesota

First on Fox: While Minnesota is still reeling from a large-scale fraud scheme involving the state’s Somali community, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security McLaughlin delivered a scathing response to the Minnesota Democratic Party. Gov. Tim Walz asked For the agency to “re-evaluate” its immigration enforcement strategy.

In a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi NoemWalz said he writes with “deep concern” regarding the arrests of American citizens made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis.

“Instead of trying to spread misinformation,” McLaughlin told Fox News Digital, Tim Walz He should focus on protecting American lives and thank the brave men and women of DHS law enforcement who are risking their lives to make communities in his state safer.”

“Yes, American citizens have been caught assaulting and obstructing law enforcement. There is a growing and disturbing trend of agitators and troublemakers obstructing the apprehension of illegal aliens and assaulting our brave law enforcement. Our officers are facing a more than 1,050% increase in assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats,” she continued.

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Department of Homeland Security Assistant Tricia McLaughlin (left) offered a scathing response to Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s request for the agency to “reevaluate” its enforcement policies. (DHS, Tiprina Hobson/Getty Images)

“Obstructing law enforcement is not a protest, it is a crime,” McLaughlin said.

In response to Walz’s concerns about the arrest of a US citizen named “Sue,” McLaughlin said the woman assaulted a federal law enforcement officer during a “targeted enforcement operation” in Minneapolis to arrest an illegal Ecuadorian criminal named Quiquintona Caboz.

According to McLaughlin, Capoose has a prior conviction for felony assault on a police officer. She said that despite the criminal’s record, “a violent group of troublemakers formed and began assaulting and obstructing law enforcement during the arrest of this dangerous criminal.”

US citizen Susan Tincher was arrested after she “assaulted a federal agent, attempted to breach a security perimeter set up for public safety, ignored lawful commands, and became violent,” according to McLaughlin.

“Secretary Noem was clear: If you lay your hands on a law enforcement official, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” McLaughlin said.

In his letter, Walz urged Noem to review recent arrests by federal agents to ensure they have a warrant allowing detention or custody and to clarify the legal standard under which a citizen may exercise their rights to document and witness “aggressive law enforcement actions.”

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Some of the “worst of the worst” illegal aliens have been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Department of Homeland Security and Stephen Maturin/Getty Images)

“Reports indicate that some citizens were documenting federal activity, while others were going about their daily lives,” he wrote. “This disturbing pattern has raised serious questions not only about due process and the rights of American citizens, but also about trust between Minnesota communities and federal authorities.”

“This series of incidents raises serious concerns about civil liberties and trust between Minnesota communities and federal authorities,” Walz said in a statement regarding his letter.

“Minnesotans have always valued civic engagement, and detaining citizens for lawfully exercising those rights or going about their daily lives sends a deeply disturbing message. I urge Secretary Noem to respect the Constitution and her administration to ensure federal operations are conducted lawfully and with respect for the rights of all individuals.”

He stated that the “force, lack of communication, and illegal practices” displayed by federal agents would not be tolerated In Minnesota. Noem urged a re-evaluation of the broader enforcement strategy.

Walz referred to another person named “Live,” who he said was chased, tackled, and handcuffed before being arrested despite citing his status as a citizen.

Those who document law enforcement activity “play an essential role in transparency, accountability and protecting civil liberties in Minnesota,” the governor said.

Immigration officials said individuals are free to view and film law enforcement operations, but anyone who obstructs authorities from doing their job could face arrest.

In a statement issued later Wednesday evening, Walz said: “It is clear that the feds are intent on creating fear and agitating Minnesotans. Trump wants a show. Don’t give it to him. Stay safe and stay safe if you interact with ICE.”

Minnesota lawmakers pledge new crackdown after billion-dollar scam collapses, they say, leaves Walz in a spiral

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested illegal Somali immigrant Abdizahir Ibrahim, a fraud convict linked to several prominent Minnesota politicians, including former Democratic Governor and Vice President Tim Walz. (ice)

The Department of Homeland Security responded in a post on X that “for the past six years, Minnesotans have lived in fear for their lives, families, and property because you allowed criminal illegal aliens to roam your state.”

“Governor, do you stand with the illegal aliens we are taking off your streets or with the Americans?” The Department of Homeland Security wrote.

Minneapolis has been at the center of controversy in recent weeks over a massive fraud scheme dating back to at least 2020 that has permeated multiple departments and numerous nonprofits, from child welfare services to COVID-19 relief, to autism care, and that many believe will eventually surpass $1 billion in wasted state and federal taxpayer money.

Republican state lawmakers told Fox News Digital they believe Walz He deserves a lot of blame.

State Rep. Mark Curran said, ““You have to look at who was solely responsible for this operation, which is Governor Walz.”

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“Every agency is controlled by the executive,” Curran said. “I think what we have to understand is how they are either extraordinarily incompetent or willfully complicit. There is no alternative to them. I think they are actually both.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Walz for comment, but did not receive a response by press time.

Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller and Luis Casiano contributed to this report.