A joint operation between federal immigration agencies has revealed widespread fraud in pending immigration cases across the
Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The investigation, dubbed Operation Twin Shield, took place from September 19-28 and examined over 1,000 cases that had been flagged for potential fraud or eligibility issues.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), working in collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI, conducted more than 900 interviews and site visits during the operation. Their findings exposed fraudulent activity in approximately 44 percent of reviewed cases, with 275 instances of fraud,
non-compliance, or security concerns identified.
The investigation, which focused on marriage-based petitions, family-based applications, employment authorizations, and certain parole requests, has already resulted in 42 cases being referred to ICE or issued Notices to Appear. Four individuals have been taken into custody, with officials indicating these numbers are likely to increase as additional administrative investigations conclude.
Several egregious cases of fraud were uncovered during the operation. In one instance, investigators discovered a man who had paid $100 for a fake Kenyan death certificate to claim his marriage had ended, while his spouse was actually living in Minneapolis with their five children. Another case involved the son of a suspected terrorist who had remained in the country after his visa expired and had previously been caught attempting marriage fraud multiple times.
The operation also revealed cases of elder abuse tied to fraudulent marriages, including one where an immigrant was found to have exploited an elderly U.S. citizen through a sham marriage. In another notable incident, a petitioner admitted to marriage fraud shortly after testifying under oath that her marriage was legitimate during a USCIS interview.
USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow emphasized the agency’s commitment to combating immigration fraud, stating that they will pursue all individuals involved in undermining the integrity of the immigration system. This operation represents the first time USCIS has deployed resources of this magnitude in a single geographic region.
The initiative aligns with Executive Order 14161, which prioritizes protecting the United States from terrorist threats, national security risks, and public safety concerns. Officials noted that this operation marks a departure from policies under the previous administration, with immigration officers now being fully empowered to conduct thorough vetting of applicants as required by law.
Minneapolis, which hosts one of the largest Somali communities in the United States and is represented in Congress by Somali-American Ilhan Omar, was the focal point of this unprecedented fraud detection effort. The operation’s findings highlight the significant challenges facing immigration authorities in maintaining the integrity of the legal immigration system.
The operation’s success in identifying fraudulent activities underscores the importance of rigorous verification processes in immigration cases. USCIS officials emphasized that such fraud not only compromises the immigration system but also disadvantages those who follow legal immigration procedures and potentially poses risks to national security and public safety.
As administrative investigations continue, USCIS anticipates further cases will be referred for enforcement action, demonstrating the agency’s renewed commitment to detecting and preventing immigration fraud through comprehensive vetting procedures and enhanced
cooperation between federal agencies.