Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced Monday that federal authorities arrested more than 10,000 "illegal immigrants with criminal histories" in Minneapolis.

Noem also criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for failing to protect public safety, adding that investigators have launched a major investigation into what she described as a "massive fraud scheme" totaling at least $19 billion.

In a statement, Noem said Homeland Security law enforcement officers have made about 3,000 arrests in the past six weeks.

She said those arrested included murderers, rapists, child molesters, and other violent criminals.

"We must secure peace and public safety in Minneapolis!" Noem wrote in a statement. "We arrested over 10,000 illegal immigrant criminals who murdered Americans, harmed children, and brought terror to Minneapolis because Tim Walz and Jacob Frey chose to harbor criminals instead of protecting their own citizens."

"Over the past six weeks, our brave Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers have apprehended 3,000 criminal illegal immigrants, including heinous murderers, rapists, child molesters, and extremely dangerous individuals. This is a tremendous win for public safety," she continued.

Noem also claimed that a "massive fraud scheme" totaling at least $19 billion had occurred in Minneapolis, and that Homeland Security Investigations agents are conducting a wide-ranging investigation to recover funds and hold those responsible accountable.

However, she did not provide any data to support the $19 billion figure, nor did she specify which programs or cases were involved.

"There is a massive $19 billion fraud scheme in Minneapolis, and that is just the tip of the iceberg," Noem wrote. "Homeland Security investigators are on the ground in Minneapolis conducting a wide-ranging investigation to bring justice to the American people who have been so greatly harmed."

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately release details that would allow the verification of Noem's statement.

The statement comes amid a sweeping federal crackdown in Minneapolis and St. Paul that has drawn legal challenges and national attention.

The Justice Department is reportedly investigating whether Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey interfered with federal immigration enforcement through public remarks.

Both Walz and Frey have criticized the investigation, calling it intimidation.

In recent weeks, the DHS operation has become increasingly confrontational, with clashes occurring between federal agents and citizens protesting their actions during the arrests of undocumented immigrants.

A federal judge in Minneapolis has prohibited DHS agents from arresting peaceful demonstrators who are not charged with crimes or obstructing justice, following residents' claims that their constitutional rights were violated while observing or protesting the immigration enforcement.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Menendez ruled in a lawsuit filed in December on behalf of six Minnesota activists that federal agents could not detain or use tear gas against peaceful demonstrators, including observers, who are not obstructing their duties. This ruling came amid heightened tensions related to the fatal shooting of Renee Good.

Noem's allegations of fraud come amid an ongoing, high-profile federal investigation into a pandemic-era child nutrition program in Minnesota known as "Feeding Our Future."

The Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor stated that the U.S. Justice Department has charged 70 people with fraud totaling $250 million in federal funds related to nutrition programs between September 2022 and February 2024, with the alleged fraud centering on the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future.

Governor Walz's office previously stated it had not received notice of the Justice Department's investigation, while Mayor Frey claimed the investigation appeared intended to intimidate him because of his opposition to "dangerous federal actions in the city."

By United States NNP=Hong Seong-gu, Chief Reporter / Special Contributor to this newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com