Federal agents have exposed a massive web of immigration fraud in Minneapolis, uncovering 275 cases of deception that included fake marriages, forged death certificates, and phantom businesses in just 10 days.
Story Highlights
- Operation Twin Shield discovered 275 fraud cases during 1,000+ site visits in Minneapolis-St. Paul area
- USCIS Director declares “war on immigration fraud” with plans to expand nationwide
- Schemes included sham marriages, fake death certificates, and abuse of H-1B and F-1 visa programs
- Four arrests made with 42 cases referred to ICE for deportation proceedings
Federal Crackdown Reveals Systemic Fraud Network
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services launched Operation Twin Shield from September 19-28, 2025, conducting over 1,000 site visits across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The intensive 10-day surge operation uncovered a staggering 275 cases of alleged immigration fraud, noncompliance, or public safety concerns. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow characterized the findings as “shocking” and declared an official “war on immigration fraud,” signaling the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement.
The operation targeted multiple fraud schemes that have been undermining America’s immigration system. Federal agents discovered sham marriages designed to circumvent legal immigration processes, visa overstays where individuals remained illegally after their authorized stay expired, and forged documents including fake death certificates. The investigation also revealed abuse of H-1B employment visas and F-1 student visa programs, along with individuals claiming employment at businesses that could not be verified or located.
Twin Cities Chosen as National Pilot Program
Federal authorities selected the Twin Cities based on historical cooperation with federal agents and identifiable patterns of fraudulent activity in the region. The area’s significant immigrant population, including large Somali, Hmong, and Latino communities, provided investigators with concentrated targets for enforcement. This operation represents an unprecedented scale of immigration fraud detection in a single metropolitan area, far exceeding typical enforcement actions that usually focus on specific employers or networks rather than community-wide sweeps.
The Trump administration positioned Operation Twin Shield as a pilot program for nationwide expansion, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to restoring integrity to America’s immigration system. Director Edlow’s announcement emphasized that similar operations would be implemented in other cities across the country, marking a significant escalation in federal immigration enforcement under the current administration’s policies.
Immediate Enforcement Actions and Future Implications
As of the September 30 announcement, four undocumented immigrants had been arrested, with 42 additional cases referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further action and potential deportation proceedings. Investigations remain ongoing, with the possibility of additional arrests and criminal charges as federal agents continue processing the massive volume of cases discovered during the operation. The scope of fraud uncovered in just 10 days suggests years of systematic abuse of immigration programs.
This enforcement surge aligns with President Trump’s campaign promise to implement the “largest deportation program in American history” and represents a stark contrast to previous administration policies. The operation’s success validates concerns about widespread immigration fraud that has been draining taxpayer resources and undermining legitimate immigrants who follow proper procedures. The discovery of such extensive fraud networks demonstrates the need for continued vigilance and enforcement to protect American sovereignty and immigration system integrity.
Sources:
Federal Officials Announce Arrests Relating to Immigration Fraud Operation in Twin Cities
Feds Announce Immigration Fraud Surge in the Twin Cities
