ICE's Operation Metro Surge: The Rise of Collateral Arrests

On February 13, 2026, a 52-year-old Ecuadorian man was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a traffic stop in Minnesota. This incident is part of a larger operation known as Operation Metro Surge, which has resulted in approximately 3,785 arrests since its inception in December 2025. Notably, around 1,300 of these arrests have been classified as "collateral," meaning the individuals were not the intended targets of the enforcement actions.

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The recent release of ICE data, obtained by the Deportation Data Project, reveals that collateral arrests accounted for about 35% of all arrests during Operation Metro Surge. This marks a significant increase from previous months, where only 19% of arrests in Minnesota were classified as collateral. In the initial weeks of the operation, federal agents recorded more collateral arrests than targeted ones, raising questions about the accuracy and reliability of the labeling system used by ICE.

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The case of Alfredo Aljorna, a Venezuelan national, illustrates the potential for misidentification during these operations. On January 14, ICE agents mistakenly pursued Aljorna, leading to a car chase that resulted in the shooting of his roommate, Julio Sosa-Celis. Both men, along with others in their vicinity, were detained despite not being the intended targets. In the subsequent data, Aljorna's arrest was labeled as "targeted," while Sosa-Celis's arrest was categorized as "collateral," highlighting inconsistencies in ICE's reporting.

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Operation Metro Surge was initially intended to target Somali Minnesotans, who are predominantly U.S. citizens. However, reports indicate that federal agents may have racially profiled individuals based on their appearance, leading to the wrongful detention of citizens. A federal judge in Minnesota noted "compelling and troubling" evidence of racial profiling against Somali and Latino residents during these operations.

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ICE has challenged the accuracy of the Deportation Data Project's findings, stating that the data has not been verified or audited. They emphasized that the project relies on unverified information and has not provided an alternative analysis. Despite this, ICE has not disputed the specific details surrounding individual cases, such as the Ecuadorian man's detention.

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Critics of Operation Metro Surge argue that the rise in collateral arrests reflects a troubling trend in immigration enforcement practices. The increase in misidentifications and the potential for racial profiling have raised concerns among civil rights advocates and community leaders, who call for greater accountability and transparency in ICE operations.

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While the Deportation Data Project provides a comprehensive overview of arrests during Operation Metro Surge, discrepancies remain regarding the classification of arrests. Some individuals have been misidentified in the data, leading to confusion about the true nature of enforcement actions. Additionally, the data does not account for the arrests of U.S. citizens, further complicating the narrative surrounding these operations.

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• “ICE did not respond to a request for the definition of “collateral,” but in a previous email, ICE said about the data: “The Deportation Data Project relies on information releases that have not been reviewed, audited or given context.” — ICE Official

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• “Agents mistook citizens for their targets and appeared to arrest citizens on the basis of their appearance; a federal judge in Minnesota found “compelling and troubling” evidence that federal agents racially profiled Somali and Latino residents.” — Federal Judge in Minnesota

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Operation Metro Surge continues to draw scrutiny as the implications of collateral arrests and potential racial profiling come to light, prompting calls for reform in immigration enforcement practices.

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