New federal operation targets Minnesota refugees with legal status

Minnesota is the focus of a new federal operation targeting legally admitted refugees for interviews and additional background checks.

By: Katelyn Vue and Mohamud Farah

Outlets: Sahan Journal

Published: January 21, 2026

Words: 980

Last Updated: 6 days ago

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A new federal operation is scooping up legally admitted refugees in Minnesota and in many cases shipping them to detention facilities in Texas before their families can find lawyers and file an appeal.

Approximately 150 Minnesota refugees have been arrested since the operation began on Jan. 9, local immigration attorneys and refugee resettlement agency leaders say.

As part of “Operation PARRIS,” U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will be conducting “thorough” background checks, reinterviews …

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