Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the federal immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities "political theater" by President Trump in a news conference with city and community leaders on Tuesday. 

The Department of Homeland Security says its federal immigration agents have arrested hundreds of people since Operation Metro Surge began early this month. 

The DHS says they are targeting individuals with deportation orders, but state and city leaders say U.S. citizens have also been caught up in the increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Walz previously issued a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, asking for a review of the operation.  

In the news conference at Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis, Walz said the immigration enforcement tactics by the federal government are "putting people at risk."

"I think it's pretty clear to all of us what this president is doing," Walz said. "He's targeting states and communities that he has a national political fight against and that he doesn't agree with. It's all a distraction from his own personal crimes that are out there being investigated while he's harassing others."

Walz said "if I was a betting person" he'd expect an increased ICE presence over the holidays. 

"It makes it especially traumatizing for communities that wish to gather and celebrate in their faith on these most important of high holidays in all of our faiths," Walz said. 

Walz says the state is preparing for that expected increase of federal agents. 

"When families are torn apart, the damage is not temporary. It's lasting," said Bishop Richard Howell, Jr. of Shiloh Temple.

State leaders said federal agents have created chaos, with many immigrant communities afraid to go to work or shop, for fear of being arrested.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said local law enforcement does not work with federal agents during ICE raids, but they too have concerns. 

"The concern about someone getting killed is also held by our police officers," Frey said. "We do not need them pulled into circumstances that they do not control, where chaos reigns supreme and where chaos is being pushed on our cities."

Recent comments criticizing ICE activity have not gone unnoticed by Republican leaders. Both Mr. Trump and Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer have accused Walz and others of obstructing the work of federal immigration efforts.

In a post on X last week, Emmer said, "Violent offenders are off the streets of Minnesota thanks to ICE and no thanks to failed Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey." 

"You show me an era where people had to carry papers to keep from getting harassed and arrested by government agents, I'll show you an era of profound human rights abuses," said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.  

Carter urged people to make their voices heard against ICE tactics, but to do it with love and justice in mind. 

"As we document what they're doing, our request and our demand is for us to be humane. Is for us to cease violence, is for us to not add to the chaos. Is for us to not add to the division," Carter said.

Many of the city and state leaders in attendance stressed the importance of working with local law enforcement to keep communities safe.

Operation Metro Surge was launched days after Mr. Trump took aim at Minnesota's Somali community, the country of Somalia and the diaspora at large, calling the community "garbage" and saying that he didn't "want them in our country." 

Mr. Trump ordered all green card holders from Somalia and more than a dozen other countries to be reexamined and said he would end the temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota, claiming, without evidence, that "Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great state."

Over the weekend, thousands marched along Minneapolis' Lake Street corridor in a massive, coordinated anti-immigration enforcement protest. 

On Sunday morning, a federal agent fired their weapon after being hit by a motorist in St. Paul. The suspect was not injured and was taken into custody, officials say.