In late 2025, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Metro Surge, a massive immigration enforcement initiative targeting the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in Minnesota. This operation, described as the largest of its kind, deployed over 2,000 federal agents to apprehend undocumented immigrants with criminal histories, focusing on what officials call the "worst of the worst" – individuals convicted of serious crimes like murder, sexual assault, and drug trafficking. By January 2026, ICE had arrested more than 3,000 people, many of whom were transferred from local prisons or nabbed during targeted raids. This blog post dives into specific cases, naming the individuals, detailing their crimes, how they were apprehended, and their outcomes – whether deportation or release. While the operation has sparked controversy, including protests and mistaken arrests of U.S. citizens, it underscores ongoing efforts to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities.
Operation Metro Surge began on December 1, 2025, amid claims that Minnesota's sanctuary policies were shielding criminals from deportation. ICE agents, supported by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), conducted sweeps, workplace raids, and transfers from state facilities. Here's a breakdown of notable arrests, drawing from official DHS and ICE releases. Murder and Homicide ConvictionsSeveral arrests involved individuals with homicide-related convictions, often transferred directly from Minnesota prisons upon completing their sentences.
- Hien Quoc Thai (from Vietnam): Convicted of murder. He was apprehended during a targeted arrest as part of Operation Metro Surge in early January 2026. Thai was taken into ICE custody pending deportation, with a final order of removal in place.
- Shwe Htoo (from Burma): Convicted of homicide. Apprehended via transfer from a Minnesota prison on November 17, 2025 – before the official surge but credited to ICE's efforts. He was placed in ICE custody for deportation proceedings and has since been removed from the U.S.
- Aldrin Guerrero-Muñoz (from Mexico): Convicted of homicide and assault. Transferred from Minnesota prison to ICE on October 20, 2025. He remains in custody with a final order of removal dated December 17, 2015, awaiting deportation.
- Aler Lisandro Gomez-Lucas (from Guatemala): Convicted of criminal vehicular homicide and DUI. Apprehended through prison transfer on November 24, 2025. In ICE custody pending deportation under a May 2022 removal order.
- Galuak Michael Rotgai (from Sudan): Convicted of attempted homicide and assault. Transferred from prison on August 11, 2025. Held in custody for deportation.
- Hernan Cortes-Valencia (from Mexico): Convicted of sexual assault against a child, carnal abuse, and four DUIs. Apprehended by ICE agents in a Minnesota raid. He has a final removal order from 2016 and is in custody awaiting deportation.
- Sriudorn Phaivan (from Laos): Convicted of multiple counts of sodomy against children, larceny, fraud, and other crimes; also had pending charges. Transferred from Minnesota prison on November 24, 2025. In custody with a 2018 removal order, pending deportation.
- Chong Vue (from Laos): Convicted of strongarm rape of a 12-year-old, kidnapping, and vehicle theft. Apprehended via prison transfer on January 27, 2004 (earlier case credited to recent efforts). ICE canceled a detainer in 2012 but re-apprehended him; now in custody for deportation under a 2004 order.
- Juan Pablo Torres Cheme (from Ecuador): Convicted of drug trafficking. Arrested during Operation Metro Surge on January 14, 2026. Taken into custody pending deportation.
- Brian Anjain (from Marshall Islands): 24 convictions, including assault, domestic abuse, theft, and public intoxication. Apprehended in a surge raid in January 2026. In ICE custody for removal proceedings.
- Pedro Lopez-Brito (from Guatemala): Convicted of assault with intent to inflict serious injury, drug possession, and aggravated battery. Arrested during surge operations in January 2026. Held pending deportation.
- Khin Zaw Than (from Burma): Convicted of vehicle theft, obstructing police, burglary tools, drug possession, and DUI. Apprehended during surge on January 14, 2026. In custody awaiting removal.
- Juan Gonzalez-Escamilla: Convicted of multiple DUIs, obstructing police, fraud, and impersonating; deported 13 times previously. Re-apprehended during surge on January 14, 2026. In custody for another deportation.
Operation Metro Surge demonstrates ICE's commitment to prioritizing the arrest and deportation of criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota, removing threats like murderers and sex offenders from the streets. While critics argue the operation overreaches and has led to tensions, the arrests of these individuals – many with extensive rap sheets – highlight the need for robust immigration enforcement to protect public safety. As the operation continues into 2026, expect more such actions to uphold the rule of law.
