According to the DOC, federal authorities have claimed that 1,360 individuals with ICE detainers are in Minnesota custody. However, state records indicate approximately 301 individuals (207 in state prisons and roughly 94 in county jails), leaving a discrepancy of about 1,000. The DOC stated that federal officials have not provided a methodology or explanation for their figures. In a release, Commissioner Paul Schnell said, "The numbers DHS is putting out are simply wrong."

In a follow-up release on January 26, 2026, the DOC published evidence identifying 68 instances where the federal government allegedly mislabeled routine custody transfers as "arrests." The DOC states that DHS is using these statistics to "justify expanded federal operations" by claiming "Minnesota fails to honor detainers." State officials said that the DOC "honors every ICE detainer and coordinates custody transfers every day," adding that these handoffs are documented and verifiable.

In a separate release, the state stated: "If DHS believes Minnesota failed to honor a detainer, identify the case and we will address it. Continuing to release unsupported numbers is reckless and irresponsible. Minnesota is ready to work with DHS to align facts and operational reality."

The DOC highlighted its specific role, noting that it manages only state prisons and does not determine who receives a detainer; that authority rests solely with ICE. While state officials expressed a willingness to work with federal partners to "align facts and operational reality," Commissioner Schnell said that the department intends to "continue to correct the record for as long as misinformation persists."

In a press release dated January 27, 2026, the DHS issued a release detailing "the latest" from Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, highlighting the arrests of individuals it characterized as the "worst of the worst (WOW)." The federal agency listed several individuals convicted of crimes such as kidnapping, child rape, and assault on law enforcement, asserting that these "operations are necessary to remove 'violent criminal illegal aliens' from Minnesota communities."

While the DOC argues these are mislabeled custody transfers, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated in the release that federal law enforcement "continues to remove violent criminal illegal aliens from the streets of Minnesota" and called on "sanctuary politicians" to honor federal hold requests.

Learn more: https://mn.gov/doc/about/news/combatting-dhs-misinformation