The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday announced a string of arrests made as part of an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, with immigration authorities highlighting apprehension of criminal illegal immigrants.

In a press release, the DHS cited several arrests that have been made since the operation got underway, describing those detained as the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.”

Ahead of the announcement, the DHS had declined to publicly comment on emerging reports that immigration enforcement operations had begun in the region.

In the statement, the department said that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation, Operation Metro Surge, had been underway in Minneapolis since Dec. 1.

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused local officials like Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of implementing sanctuary policies and allowing “pedophiles, domestic terrorists, and gang members to roam the streets and terrorize Americans.”

“ICE law enforcement are risking their lives to protect Minnesotans while their own elected officials sit by and do nothing. No matter when and where, ICE will find, arrest, and deport ALL criminal illegal aliens,” she said.

Many of those arrested as part of the immigration crackdown are Somalian nationals. President Donald Trump recently said he wanted illegal immigrants from the East African nation deported amid a massive welfare fraud scandal perpetrated by people of Somali origin in Minnesota.

Others listed in the statement include those from Mexico and elsewhere.

At the top of the press release, the DHS cited the arrest of Abdulkadir Sharif Abdi, who DHS alleged to be “a criminal illegal alien from Somalia, a former member of the Gangster Disciples and ... [a] member of Vice Lord Nation.”

Abdi has been convicted of fraud, receiving stolen property, receiving a stolen vehicle, vehicle theft, and multiple violations of probation, DHS said.

Another alleged criminal, an illegal immigrant arrested as part of the operation, Sahal Osman Shidane, had a conviction for sexual conduct with a minor aged 13 to 15.

Other individuals arrested as part of the operation had convictions for a litany of other crimes.

Convictions mentioned in the press release include two assault convictions, one fraud conviction, one robbery conviction, one larceny conviction, six domestic violence convictions, six driving under the influence convictions, one conviction for damaging property, one conviction for violating probation, one conviction for felony smuggling of illegal immigrants, and one conviction for aggravated assault with a weapon.