Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) publicly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey following the arrest of Mahad Abdulkadir Yusuf, an illegal immigrant sex offender, in a targeted enforcement operation in Minneapolis. ICE identified Yusuf as a Somali national unlawfully present in the United States and convicted in 2016 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which involved forcing a victim to perform oral sex multiple times. According to federal authorities, Yusuf had remained free in Minneapolis for years despite his criminal conviction and immigration status, raising serious questions about the intersection of local sanctuary policies and federal enforcement priorities. ICE framed the arrest as a success born of persistence, noting that prior attempts to detain Yusuf had been thwarted when the building manager of his residence denied agents access, forcing federal officials to develop a more complex operation to ensure the capture of a dangerous criminal.

The agency has emphasized that local sanctuary-style policies in Minneapolis and across Minnesota contributed directly to Yusuf’s prolonged freedom. ICE stated that these policies prevented local cooperation with federal authorities, allowing individuals with violent criminal records to evade law enforcement for extended periods. In public statements and on social media, the agency directly blamed Governor Walz and Mayor Frey for failing to enforce cooperation, claiming that their policies effectively shielded dangerous criminals like Yusuf from justice. ICE’s messaging specifically highlighted the disconnect between federal priorities—focused on apprehending violent offenders among the undocumented population—and local efforts to limit federal influence in immigrant communities, portraying sanctuary policies as creating vulnerabilities that compromise public safety. The agency cited Yusuf’s repeated offenses and outstanding warrants as evidence that more robust coordination between federal and local law enforcement might have prevented further harm.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that ICE agents had previously attempted to arrest Yusuf at his Lake Street apartment but were denied entry by the building manager, who allegedly obstructed law enforcement. This refusal forced ICE to organize a specialized operation, designed to apprehend Yusuf while minimizing risk to both agents and the public. In a press release, ICE officials detailed that the operation involved coordinated efforts to ensure his capture without incident, ultimately achieving success where earlier attempts had failed. DHS Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito stressed that obstruction by local property managers and community activists, including warning signals or public interference during enforcement actions, undermines the federal mission and allows dangerous offenders to remain at large. These operational challenges illustrate the difficulties ICE faces in jurisdictions that adopt sanctuary policies, particularly when suspects are known to have violent criminal histories.

Governor Walz and Mayor Frey have consistently defended sanctuary-style policies, arguing that limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities builds trust with immigrant communities. The officials contend that such policies encourage crime reporting, civic engagement, and cooperation with police without fear of deportation for individuals who may otherwise avoid contact with authorities. Walz and Frey maintain that these policies are designed to protect community safety broadly, not to shield violent offenders. Nonetheless, ICE has framed these same policies as creating dangerous loopholes, allowing individuals with histories of sexual assault, assault, and other violent offenses to remain free and potentially harm others. The tension between sanctuary policies and federal enforcement priorities has emerged as a flashpoint in Minnesota, particularly in light of high-profile arrests such as that of Yusuf.

ICE highlighted Yusuf’s criminal history as evidence of the consequences of sanctuary policies. In addition to his 2016 first-degree criminal sexual conduct conviction, Yusuf was previously arrested for first-degree assault and had an active warrant from 2024 for obstructing police. ICE noted that Yusuf originally entered the United States as a lawful permanent resident in 1996 but “threw away his shot at the American dream” through repeated violent acts. Officials emphasized that federal enforcement efforts prioritize individuals with serious criminal records, including sex offenders, gang members, and those involved in violent crime. By characterizing Yusuf as a “criminal illegal alien,” ICE underscored the agency’s focus on targeting violent offenders within the undocumented population, contrasting this mission with local policies that restrict cooperation and communication with federal authorities.

The arrest of Yusuf underscores the ongoing debate between federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary-style policies at the state and local level. ICE officials argue that obstruction by local authorities, building managers, or community activists not only hinders operations but also endangers public safety by allowing violent offenders to remain free. DHS Special Agent Zito stated that misleading narratives about ICE operations further exacerbate the problem, fueling acts that obstruct law enforcement and protect criminal aliens. The agency has pledged to continue targeted operations focused on public safety threats, emphasizing the importance of interagency cooperation. Meanwhile, sanctuary advocates insist that policies designed to protect immigrant communities remain essential for trust and crime prevention. The tension between these perspectives reflects broader national debates over immigration enforcement, public safety, and the responsibilities of local governments in supporting or limiting federal operations.