UPDATE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed the urgent arrest of Mahad Abdulkadir Yusuf, a convicted sex offender, during a targeted operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 31, 2025. This significant crackdown comes after Yusuf evaded authorities for years despite a serious criminal history.
Yusuf, a Somali national, has a chilling record including a conviction for first-degree criminal sexual conduct where he forced a victim to perform oral sex on him multiple times. He was also arrested in 2016 for first-degree assault and had an active warrant issued in 2024 for obstructing police.
ICE reports that Yusuf was in the country illegally at the time of his arrest and posed a continued threat to public safety. “He threw away his shot at the American dream by repaying our country’s generosity with these vicious crimes,” an ICE statement highlighted.
This operation has reignited controversies surrounding Minnesota’s sanctuary policies, which ICE claims allowed this dangerous individual to remain free. The agency criticized Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for their policies that allegedly shield criminals from deportation.
“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,” ICE stated.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officials indicated that previous attempts to detain Yusuf were thwarted by an apartment manager who denied ICE agents access to his residence. HSI Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito condemned local policies that obstruct 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.”
The arrest is part of a broader enforcement effort, with ICE reporting over 622,000 deportations since the start of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown on January 20, 2025.
This arrest occurs amid heightened scrutiny of ICE following the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good, 37, in Minneapolis during an enforcement operation. Democratic leaders, including Walz and Frey, have sharply criticized ICE, with Frey demanding the agency “get the f— out” of the city, while Walz issued a warning order to the National Guard.
President Trump addressed the incident on Truth Social, calling it “a horrible thing to watch” and urging support for law enforcement officers who are “just trying to do the job of MAKING AMERICA SAFE.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Good of “stalking and impeding” ICE agents, claiming she attempted to “weaponize her vehicle” against an officer.
The community continues to grapple with the implications of these events, highlighting the ongoing debate over immigration policies and public safety. As the situation develops, more details are expected to emerge regarding Yusuf’s case and the broader enforcement policies in Minnesota.
