A recent immigration enforcement initiative in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region has uncovered extensive immigration fraud, as reported by Joseph Edlow, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
“Our officers encountered overt marriage fraud, visa overstays, and individuals impersonating non-existent businesses. We also identified forged documents and systemic abuses of the H1B and F1 visa categories, among various other infractions,” Edlow conveyed to reporters on Tuesday, as highlighted in the New York Post.
The Twin Cities have witnessed a significant influx of Somali refugees and immigrants, currently housing over 82,000 Somali individuals in Minnesota alone.
The areas targeted during this enforcement sweep fall within the congressional district represented by Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar.
According to the report from the New York Post, an immigration official claimed that “nearly 50 percent” of those residing in the 1,000 homes inspected were linked to some form of fraudulent activity.
“We discovered indications of fraud, non-compliance, and concerns related to public safety and national security,” Edlow stated. “What was unearthed should alarm all Americans.”
“Immigration fraud undermines our lawful immigration system, harms those who adhere to the law, and presents risks to both national security and public safety.
Under @POTUS, we will leave no stone unturned through collaborative efforts like Operation Twin Shield.” @USCISJoe https://t.co/M90GzmV3N5
— USCIS (@USCIS) September 30, 2025
USCIS revealed shocking cases, including one immigrant who entered into a fraudulent marriage with an elderly American, subsequently subjecting the individual to “elder abuse and exploitation,” as detailed by Fox News.
In another startling instance, an immigrant confessed to fabricating a fake Kenyan death certificate for merely $100 to dissolve his marriage while his wife—who is also the mother of five of his children—was residing in Minneapolis.
In yet another case, an individual upheld the legitimacy of her marriage for hours before revealing the truth about its fraudulent nature.
Additionally, the investigation uncovered the son of a suspected terrorist who overstayed his visa and had previously been denied benefits due to fraud allegations.
This enforcement operation occurred from September 19 to September 28, with KMSP-TV reporting that four individuals were arrested.
USCIS officials have indicated that other cities could become future targets, suggesting numerous red flags justified Minnesota as a sensible starting point for this operation.
“Considering the concerning patterns of fraud we’re observing, the cooperation here, particularly among our field offices and federal agents, has been promising,” Edlow remarked. “Launching this initiative in a city where we have a grasp of the dynamics allows us to address critical issues like marriage fraud effectively.”
“We recognized that beginning our coordination efforts in Minneapolis and Saint Paul would enable us to tackle the red flags we identified,” he elaborated.
“Ultimately, this is the responsibility of the government,” Edlow concluded. “What has been revealed by these dedicated officers over just under two weeks is merely the tip of the iceberg regarding immigration fraud issues. This matter, in my view, parallels a significant risk to national security and public safety, which we must approach with urgency.”
This story was originally published on The Western Journal.
