ICE Labeled Over 1,300 'Collateral' Arrests During Operation Metro Surge

New data reveals the scale of unintended arrests during the Trump-era immigration crackdown.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:54pm

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A fragmented, abstract painting of an ICE agent's badge or insignia, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of blue, grey, and black colors, conveying a sense of disruption and chaos around the immigration enforcement actions.The labeling of over 1,300 'collateral' arrests during the ICE crackdown reveals the sweeping, indiscriminate nature of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts.Minneapolis Today

According to data obtained by the Deportation Data Project, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) labeled over 1,300 arrests during the 2020 Operation Metro Surge as 'collateral' - meaning the individuals were not the intended targets of the enforcement action, but were nonetheless detained. The data provides new insight into how many people were caught up in the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts despite not being the focus of the operation.

Why it matters

The revelation of 'collateral' arrests during Operation Metro Surge raises concerns about racial profiling and civil liberties violations, as federal agents appeared to detain individuals based solely on their appearance rather than any specific criminal activity. It also highlights the broad scope and indiscriminate nature of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which critics say unfairly targeted immigrant communities.

The details

The data, obtained by the Deportation Data Project through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows that around 35% of the 3,785 arrests recorded since the start of Operation Metro Surge in December 2019 were labeled as 'collateral.' This was nearly double the rate of collateral arrests compared to the previous three months. In the first two weeks of the surge, federal agents recorded more collateral arrests than targeted arrests. While ICE has challenged the accuracy of the data, the agency has not provided an alternative accounting of the arrests.

  • Operation Metro Surge began in December 2019.
  • From September to November 2019, around 19% of 528 arrests in Minnesota were collateral.
  • In the first two weeks of the surge, federal agents recorded more collateral arrests than targeted arrests.

The players

Deportation Data Project

A data initiative that publishes information on ICE arrests obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, representing the most comprehensive data available on the Operation Metro Surge.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for carrying out Operation Metro Surge, which has challenged the accuracy of the Deportation Data Project's findings but has not provided an alternative accounting of the arrests.

Alfredo Aljorna

A Venezuelan national who was mistakenly pursued and detained by ICE agents during the surge, despite not being the intended target.

Julio Sosa-Celis

Alfredo Aljorna's roommate, who was shot in the leg by an ICE agent during the pursuit, despite not being the intended target.

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What’s next

The Deportation Data Project plans to continue publishing data obtained through FOIA requests to shed light on the scope and impact of Operation Metro Surge, despite ICE's challenges to the accuracy of the information.

The takeaway

The revelation of widespread 'collateral' arrests during Operation Metro Surge underscores concerns about racial profiling and civil liberties violations, as federal agents appeared to detain individuals based solely on their appearance rather than any specific criminal activity. It also highlights the broad, indiscriminate nature of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which critics say unfairly targeted immigrant communities.