Minnesota DOC Disputes DHS Claims on ICE Detainers with New Data

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) has challenged the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) claims regarding the number of incarcerated individuals with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers in the state. In a statement released on February 5, 2024, the DOC reported that there are fewer than 500 such individuals currently in state jails and prisons, a figure that contrasts sharply with the DHS’s assertion of 1,360 detainers.

According to the DOC’s data, there are approximately 380 non-citizens in state prisons, with 270 holding ICE detainers. The report also estimates around 100 individuals in Minnesota jails may have active detainers. The DOC criticized DHS for what it described as a “campaign of misinformation,” emphasizing the need for accurate data to inform public safety discussions.

At a recent news conference, Tom Homan, the White House’s border coordinator, acknowledged the cooperation between state prisons and federal authorities. He noted that, since Operation Metro Surge commenced on December 1, federal efforts have led to the arrest of 4,000 individuals deemed “dangerous criminal illegal aliens.” This brings the total number of arrests under the operation to around 11,000 since President Donald Trump took office.

The DOC’s statement raised questions about the necessity of maintaining a significant federal presence in Minnesota, where approximately 2,000 agents are deployed. “The confusing and unsupported data Homeland Security has released about the number of violent and dangerous non-citizens in Minnesota prompts serious questions about the need, cost, and public safety benefit of leaving these agents in the state,” the DOC’s release stated.

In its analysis, the DOC pointed to inconsistencies in the data provided by DHS. The DOC found that of the 327 individuals publicly listed as arrested in Minnesota, 110 had been transferred from DOC custody directly to ICE. Furthermore, 200 of these individuals reportedly had no felony commitment time with the DOC.

The DOC also highlighted that 70 percent of ICE arrests nationwide involve undocumented immigrants charged or convicted of crimes in the United States. Yet, its review indicated that many arrests in Minnesota were related to non-felony offenses or individuals with limited criminal records.

In a related investigation, the Rochester Post Bulletin examined 18 individuals listed as having been arrested in Rochester. The findings revealed discrepancies between the charges listed and the federal convictions that originally led to some detainers being placed.

The discrepancies and lack of clarity in the data released by DHS have prompted further scrutiny. “The inconsistency and lack of clarity in Homeland Security data raises important questions about the level of federal resources being applied to the ‘worst of the worst’ targets in Minnesota,” stated Paul Schnell, commissioner of the Minnesota DOC.

The state has a longstanding history of working with ICE to ensure that those posing the greatest risk to public safety are identified and handed over for deportation. As the situation evolves, the DOC awaits a formal response from the DHS regarding these claims and the data supporting their operations in Minnesota.