ICE: Minnesota won’t let us arrest 1,360 criminal illegal immigrants in state jails

Published January 20, 2026 5:53pm ET



Immigration and Customs Enforcement accused Minnesota on Tuesday of harboring illegal immigrants with criminal histories after local and state authorities ignored the federal agency’s requests to hand over more than 1,360 people in its jails.

ICE acting Executive Associate Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations Marcos Charles said the federal government has repeatedly attempted to work with the state to apprehend illegal immigrants in safe settings as opposed to on the street, but the blue state has declined its requests.

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