MINNEAPOLIS – Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in Minneapolis Friday to talk about actions being taken by the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
Noem, who oversees the agency, said more than 4,000 individuals have been removed from the region for several reasons, including 3,316 of whom had criminal histories. Across the country, 515,000 individuals have been arrested and deported for breaking laws, with 70 percent of those having pending or criminal charges against them.
“They were out there perpetuating violence against citizens here, and now they’re no longer doing that because of the work of these law enforcement officers,” she said.
Noem said the crime numbers have gone up since 2019 – and called out Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
“More violent crimes are being perpetuated in these communities because of their refusal to defend American citizens,” she said.
Noem called on Minnesotans – and people everywhere – to support law enforcement.
“Each and every single one of them took an oath. They took an oath to support and to defend this country, to defend their communities and protect people, and that’s what they’re doing every day when they go out and they enforce the law,” she said. “They make sure that people who perpetuate violence on individuals are brought to justice and that those who break our laws face the consequences of that and are removed from our country.”
HIS St. Paul Acting Special Agent in Charge Sam Westbay said the threats his officers face today ‘are more sophisticated and global than ever before.’
“These crimes don’t just harm individuals,” he said. “They undermine the fabric of our society, our economy, and our national security. But HSI St. Paul is meeting these challenges head-on. Across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, our agents and analysts are conducting complex investigations that are breaking apart these networks, rescuing victims, and holding perpetrators accountable.”
