A convicted sex offender who lived freely in Minneapolis for years has become a flashpoint in the ongoing dispute over immigration enforcement and local “sanctuary” policies. Federal agents say the case highlights what they view as dangerous gaps in cooperation between federal and local authorities.
The man, Mahad Abdulkadir Yusuf, a Somali national, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a targeted operation on December 31, 2025. According to federal authorities, Yusuf had a 2016 conviction for first-degree criminal sexual conduct and an active warrant for obstructing police from 2024.
ICE publicly blamed Minnesota’s sanctuary-style policies under Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, saying these policies limited cooperation and allowed the offender to remain at large. Federal officials allege that prior arrest attempts were thwarted, including when an apartment manager blocked officers from entering Yusuf’s building.
Supporters of local policies argue that sanctuary approaches are intended to build community trust, making immigrants more willing to report crimes and interact with police without fear of deportation. Walz and Frey have emphasized protections for immigrant communities amid broader enforcement actions in Minneapolis.
Critics within federal agencies say the case raises questions about where “community trust” ends and public safety begins. ICE officials claim that limited local cooperation, and community resistance to enforcement operations, can create opportunities for serious offenders to avoid detention.
The arrest comes amid a heightened immigration enforcement effort in Minnesota, which has included other arrests of individuals with serious criminal records as part of broader operations. Federal authorities say these efforts are focused on public safety.
Opponents of aggressive federal enforcement counter that some ICE tactics have targeted community members without clear legal justification, fueling distrust and legal challenges.
The case has intensified the political clash over immigration policy, public safety, and the role of local versus federal authority in cities like Minneapolis.