ICE Locates Over 3,300 Missing Children in Minnesota During Operation Metro Surge
ST. PAUL, Minn. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has located 3,364 missing unaccompanied migrant children in Minnesota, officials announced Thursday. The recovery effort was part of “Operation Metro Surge,” a targeted enforcement initiative aimed at identifying and securing vulnerable youths who had previously been unaccounted for after their release from federal custody.
Tom Homan, serving as the administration’s “border czar,” confirmed the statistics during a press briefing on February 12, 2026. Homan stated that the operation focused specifically on re-establishing contact with unaccompanied alien children (UACs) who had fallen off the radar of social service agencies and immigration authorities over the past several years.
“In addition to taking public safety threats off the street, ICE, here in this state, have located 3,364 missing unaccompanied alien children,” Homan told reporters. He emphasized that the primary goal of the mission was to ensure the safety of these minors, many of whom were at risk of exploitation, human trafficking, and forced labor.
The operation comes amid a broader federal crackdown on irregular migration and human smuggling networks. “Operation Metro Surge” was launched in the Twin Cities area to address concerns regarding gaps in the oversight of migrant children released to sponsors. Federal officials have long warned that children who lose contact with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) are particularly vulnerable to falling victim to criminal enterprises.
According to the announcement, the 3,364 children were located through a combination of data analysis, field interviews, and coordination with local stakeholders. While the majority were found safe with family members or sponsors, the operation verified their whereabouts and safety status, closing cases that had been open for months or years.
Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN) praised the operation’s results, highlighting the scale of the recovery. “Thanks to… federal law enforcement for tracking down over 3,300 missing migrant kids,” Emmer stated in a social media post following the announcement.
In addition to locating missing minors, ICE officials reported that the surge operation resulted in the arrest of several individuals connected to criminal activity. Homan noted that the sweep led to the apprehension of suspects with ties to gang activity and other violent crimes, though specific numbers regarding these collateral arrests were not immediately detailed in the Thursday briefing.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has indicated that similar operations may be conducted in other states where large numbers of unaccompanied minors have been settled. The agency aims to reduce the backlog of “unaccounted for” cases, which has been a point of contention and concern for child welfare advocates and policymakers alike.
“Operation Metro Surge” represents one of the largest single-state recoveries of missing migrant children in recent history. ICE officials stated that the agency is now working to ensure that the located children are connected with appropriate services and that their immigration cases are processed according to federal law.
The operation in Minnesota is expected to wind down in the coming days, with a “significant drawdown” of federal agents already underway, according to Homan. He cited successful coordination with state and local entities as a key factor in the rapid conclusion of the surge’s primary objectives.
* hannity.com
* mn.gov
* ojp.gov
