The Department of Homeland Security deployed over 2,000 federal agents including ICE and Border Patrol to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in what Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons called the 'largest immigration operation ever.' DHS Secretary Kristi Noem personally participated in the operation, appearing alongside agents during arrests. Over 150 people were arrested on the first day. The operation targeted alleged welfare fraud in Minnesota's Somali community. Stephen Miller, described as the 'architect' of the mass deportation strategy, designed the operation to 'send a message.' The ICE workforce had been expanded from approximately 10,000 to over 22,000 personnel through rapid hiring that shortened training from 6 months to 6 weeks. Up to 1,700 National Guard troops were mobilized across 19 states to support ICE operations, though multiple federal courts ruled these federalizations unlawful.