Federal officials revealed arrests linked to a sweeping immigration fraud operation in the Twin Cities area under the codename Operation Twin Shield. The crackdown, beginning Sept. 19, targeted schemes involving marriage fraud, visa overstays, forged documents, and misuse of visa categories.
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Uncovering the Fraud Network
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow disclosed that investigators conducted over 1,000 site visits as part of the operation and flagged 275 cases marked by signs of fraud, identity manipulation, or national security concerns. Examples included marriages that existed in name only, claims of employment at non-existent companies, and misuse of H-1B and F-1 visa programs. Several arrested individuals were undocumented immigrants.
Enforcement & Legal Outcomes
By the time of announcement, four undocumented immigrants had been arrested. Authorities issued notices to appear or referred others to ICE in 42 cases. The operation is intended to scale nationally, with the Twin Cities serving as a starting point due to data signals of recurring fraud patterns in the region.
Broader Implications & U.S. Policy
Edlow framed the effort as a declaration of war on immigration fraud, stating that citizens deserve integrity and fairness in visa enforcement. He also explained that Minnesota was selected for its collaborative state-federal operations and history of supporting prosecution efforts.
Experts say that Operation Twin Shield reflects growing federal resolve to clamp down on transnational immigration crime, especially as digital platforms make it easier to forge identities and automate portions of the fraud pipeline. With the visa system under pressure, such actions could send a strong deterrent signal to abuse in immigration and employment channels.
