DHS says nearly 470 criminal noncitizens were released from Minnesota custody since President Trump took office

Misleading

Facts are technically correct but framed in a way that likely leads to a wrong impression. Learn more in Methodology.

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The claim that nearly 470 criminal noncitizens were released from Minnesota custody since President Trump took office and that state/local officials refused to cooperate with ICE is supported by public records or data documenting those releases/cooperation decisions.

Source summary
The Department of Homeland Security issued a press release calling on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to honor ICE arrest detainers for more than 1,360 people in state and local custody. DHS alleges that nearly 470 criminal noncitizens were released from Minnesota custody since President Trump took office and named several individuals and their alleged criminal charges. The statement, quoted from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, urges state and local officials to cooperate with ICE detainers to prevent further crimes.
Latest fact check

The Department of Homeland Security did publicly assert this in a Jan. 19, 2026 DHS press release that repeated ICE figures saying Governor Walz and other "sanctuary" officials have refused to honor ICE detainers and that "nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens" were released in Minnesota since President Trump took office. However, Minnesota’s Department of Corrections and state officials have disputed DHS’s numbers and said the department honors detainers, that many people cited by DHS were never in state prison custody (but in county jails or other jurisdictions), and that DHS has not provided documentation for the 470 figure. Because DHS provided the claim but has not substantiated the specific number and Minnesota officials provide conflicting data and explanations, the DHS assertion is factually disputed and presented in a way that can mislead readers about who released the individuals and what custody systems were involved. Verdict: Misleading — DHS made the claim but its numeric and contextual framing is unverified and contested.

3 days
Next scheduled update: Feb 19, 2026
3 days

Timeline

  1. Scheduled follow-up · Feb 19, 2026
  2. Completion due · Feb 19, 2026
  3. Update · Jan 20, 2026, 09:24 PMMisleading
    The Department of Homeland Security did publicly assert this in a Jan. 19, 2026 DHS press release that repeated ICE figures saying Governor Walz and other "sanctuary" officials have refused to honor ICE detainers and that "nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens" were released in Minnesota since President Trump took office. However, Minnesota’s Department of Corrections and state officials have disputed DHS’s numbers and said the department honors detainers, that many people cited by DHS were never in state prison custody (but in county jails or other jurisdictions), and that DHS has not provided documentation for the 470 figure. Because DHS provided the claim but has not substantiated the specific number and Minnesota officials provide conflicting data and explanations, the DHS assertion is factually disputed and presented in a way that can mislead readers about who released the individuals and what custody systems were involved. Verdict: Misleading — DHS made the claim but its numeric and contextual framing is unverified and contested.
  4. Original article · Jan 19, 2026

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