U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a targeted operation in Minnesota on December 31, 2025, resulting in the arrest of Mahad Abdulkadir Yusuf, a convicted sex offender. According to ICE, Yusuf, a Somali national, had been living in the United States illegally and was considered a significant threat to public safety due to his extensive criminal history.
Yusuf was previously convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, having forced a victim to perform oral sex on multiple occasions. His criminal record also includes a 2016 arrest for first-degree assault. At the time of his arrest, he had an active warrant from 2024 for obstructing police efforts.
ICE officials stated that Yusuf had originally entered the United States in 1996 and had become a lawful permanent resident. However, his status was revoked following his convictions. “He threw away his shot at the American dream by repaying our country’s generosity with these vicious crimes,” ICE declared in a statement regarding the operation.
Concerns Over Sanctuary Policies
Federal authorities have attributed Yusuf’s prolonged freedom to Minnesota’s sanctuary-style policies, criticizing both Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for their roles in creating an environment that they argue protects dangerous criminals. In their statement, ICE remarked, “Thanks to the sanctuary policies of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, this dangerous criminal was free to prowl the streets and victimize Minneapolis residents for years.”
Historically, ICE agents had attempted to apprehend Yusuf previously but faced obstacles, including alleged interference from an apartment manager who reportedly denied access to the agents. Mark Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, emphasized that local policies hinder law enforcement efforts, stating, “Every time local jurisdictions refuse to cooperate with ICE, they are helping violent offenders, including convicted sex predators like this one, escape justice.”
Context of Recent Enforcement Actions
The arrest of Yusuf is part of a broader enforcement strategy. Since President Donald Trump initiated a crackdown on immigration on January 20, 2025, ICE has executed over 622,000 deportations. This escalation comes amid increased scrutiny of ICE, particularly following a tragic incident involving the shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis during an enforcement operation.
The shooting drew sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, including Walz and Frey, with Frey demanding that ICE cease operations in the city. In a public statement, he called for ICE to “get the f— out” of Minneapolis. President Trump addressed the situation on social media, labeling the footage of the incident as “a horrible thing to watch” and urging support for law enforcement efforts aimed at ensuring safety.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that Good had been “stalking and impeding” ICE agents throughout the day, suggesting that she attempted to “weaponize her vehicle” against an officer.
As the debate around immigration enforcement continues, the arrest of Mahad Abdulkadir Yusuf adds another layer of complexity to discussions surrounding public safety, local policy, and the responsibilities of federal immigration authorities.