MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — In a sweeping enforcement operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested numerous convicted criminals in Minnesota, including individuals convicted of child rape and murder, who had deportation orders dating back decades but remained free under the state’s sanctuary policies. The crackdown, announced on January 10, 2026, highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration authorities and local officials who oppose aggressive immigration enforcement.
ICE Director Todd M. Lyons emphasized the agency’s commitment to removing what he described as the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants. “Some of these criminal aliens have had final orders of removal for 30 years, but they’ve been free to terrorize Minnesotans,” Lyons said in a statement. He criticized local politicians and activists who have attempted to interfere with ICE operations by referring to these individuals as “neighbors” rather than dangerous criminals.
The arrests included Sriudorn Phaivan, a Laotian national convicted of multiple offenses including strong-arm sodomy of minors, larceny, fraud, drug possession, and burglary. Phaivan has had a deportation order since 2018 but remained at large until the recent sweep. Another arrestee, Tou Vang, also from Laos, was convicted of sexual assault and sodomy of a girl under 13 and procuring a child for prostitution, with a deportation order dating back to 2006. Additionally, Chong Vue was arrested; he was convicted of the strong-arm rape of a 12-year-old girl and kidnapping with intent to sexually assault.
The operation drew sharp criticism from some local leaders and activists who oppose ICE enforcement actions in sanctuary jurisdictions. However, the federal agency defended its efforts, asserting that arrests of criminal illegal immigrants prevent recidivism and enhance community safety. “ICE’s arrests prevent recidivism and make communities safer, but it feels like local politicians want to ignore that part and drum up discontent rather than protect their own constituents,” Lyons added.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publicly supported the operation, sharing images of flights transporting arrested individuals out of Minnesota and emphasizing the importance of enforcing immigration laws. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised ICE agents on social media, calling the arrested convicts “sick people” and thanking agents for their “thankless work to protect American communities.”
This enforcement surge comes amid a broader national debate over immigration policy and sanctuary jurisdictions. Minnesota’s sanctuary status has been a focal point for federal immigration officials, who argue that local policies obstruct lawful immigration enforcement and allow dangerous criminals to evade deportation. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has repeatedly clashed with local governments over access to detention facilities and information sharing.
The arrests in Minnesota underscore the challenges faced by federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws in states with sanctuary policies. According to Department of Homeland Security data, thousands of individuals with final orders of removal remain at large across the country, some with histories of violent crimes. The Minnesota operation is part of a nationwide effort to locate and remove such individuals.
Legal experts note that while sanctuary policies aim to protect immigrant communities from deportation, they can complicate efforts to remove individuals who pose public safety risks. The U.S. Department of Justice has supported federal efforts to prioritize the removal of criminal aliens, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between federal and local authorities.
As ICE continues its enforcement actions in Minnesota and other sanctuary states, the political and legal battles over immigration enforcement are expected to intensify. Meanwhile, federal officials assert that their priority remains protecting American communities from dangerous criminals who have evaded deportation for years.
