Federal agents have arrested a dozen people in Minneapolis since launching an enforcement operation this week primarily focused on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S., but fewer than half of those detained are Somali.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday that agents had arrested 12 people. Of those, six are Mexican nationals, five are from Somalia and one is from El Salvador.
Minneapolis-St. Paul, which has the nation's largest Somali community, is the latest area targeted by the Trump administration for mass deportations, following operations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, North Carolina. This week, immigration authorities have also arrived in New Orleans, where officials said they intend to arrest up to 5,000 people.
In a statement, ICE called the 12 people arrested some of the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.” Eight of them had been charged or convicted of crimes, including assault, fraud, domestic violence and driving under the influence, according to ICE.
President Donald Trump recently targeted Somali immigrants in public remarks, calling them “ garbage ” and saying “they contribute nothing.” He also blamed Democratic Gov. Tim Walz for allowing alleged fraud in government programs to happen on his watch, which a conservative publication claimed was funneling money to a Somali militant group.
The crackdown has drawn intense criticism from local and state officials who have denounced Trump's rhetoric and pledged to protect the Somali community. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said city police would not participate in federal immigration enforcement.
In the ICE statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Frey and Walz of not enforcing immigration laws and endangering citizens.
Protesters gather at a rally for immigrants and workers outside Signature Aviation near the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Baker)
Protesters gather at a rally for immigrants and workers outside Signature Aviation near the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Baker)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Trey Murphy III scored 28 points, Dejounte Murray added 27 and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Toronto Raptors 122-111 on Wednesday night, spoiling Brandon Ingram's return to the city where he played for six seasons.
Murray had his highest-scoring game since his return from a torn right Achilles tendon that sidelined him for more than a year. Zion Williamson added 19 points for the Pelicans, who have won seven of 10.
In his first game at New Orleans since he was traded to Toronto in February of last year, Ingram finished with 22 points. The 10-year veteran also surpassed 11,000 points for his career.
Immanuel Quickley scored 25 points for Toronto, which has lost six of eight. This defeat dropped the Raptors from fifth to seventh in the Eastern Conference, one-half game behind Orlando and Miami.
Murphy shot 8 of 12 from the field and 5 of 8 from 3-point range. Both teams made 14 3-pointers, but New Orleans did it on 29 attempts (48.3%) and Toronto needed 44 (31.8%).
The Pelicans led 60-58 at halftime and expanded their lead to 18 points in the third quarter. The Raptors got back within two early in the fourth, but New Orleans responded with an 8-0 run and Toronto never got closer than six the rest of the way. Murphy put it away when he hit a 3 with 2:19 left for a 116-101 lead.
During the first quarter, the Pelicans played a video tribute to Ingram, who averaged 17.6 points and made his first All-Star Game during his time in New Orleans.
Raptors: Host Phoenix on Friday.
Pelicans: At Houston on Friday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) dunks after breaking away with steal next to New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) stands over Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) next forward Herbert Jones (2) after Shead fell while trying to defend against the three point basket of Murray during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Murray received a technical foul after standing over him. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) does a windmill dunk against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, center, celebrates a windmill dunk against the Toronto Raptors with center DeAndre Jordan next to Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
