LIVE UPDATES: Trump targeting Somalis in MN; community denouncing his comments

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Community members on Thursday will be rallying against and denouncing the Trump Administration's attacks against Somalis in Minnesota, as well as immigration enforcement that targets Somalis in the Twin Cities.

Twin Cities leaders have said more than 100 federal agents will be deployed to the Twin Cities for immigration enforcement operations.

This comes as the Trump Administration has become increasingly focused on people of Somalian descent living in Minnesota and the United States. On Tuesday, Trump said he did not want Somali immigrants in the country and on Wednesday, he said Somalis have "destroyed Minnesota."

READ MORE:

Find updates on reported ICE enforcement in Minnesota, and the community's response to it, below.

4 p.m. - ICE detains several individuals during ‘Operation Metro Surge’

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 12 individuals in the Twin Cities who were allegedly in the U.S. illegally.

The arrests happened during what DHS calls "Operations Metro Surge."

DHS says the people arrested have been convicted of child sex abuse, domestic assault and gang crimes.

3 p.m. - Community leaders call for Somali Heritage Month

Community leaders said at a press conference that they are starting initiatives to support the Somali community, including calling for a Somali Heritage Month.

Community leaders call for Somali Heritage Month [FULL]

Community leaders announced initiatives to support the Somali community, including establishing a Somali Heritage Month and more.

Noon - Walz blasts Trump during state budget presser

Walz blasts Trump for Somali rant

A day after President Donald Trump went on a rant against the State of Minnesota, Somalis, and Governor Walz himself, the governor responded.

Speaking before reporters during a budget outline presentation, Gov. Walz took issue with the Trump administration’s recent immigration efforts targeting the Somali community in Minnesota.

"I want to start off and address the vile racial racist lies and slander towards our fellow Minnesotans. Donald Trump's calling our Somali neighbors ‘garbage’ and the state of Minnesota a hellhole is, I'm assuming, unprecedented for a United State president. We've got little children going to school today who their president called them garbage. This shouldn't be that difficult," Walz said on Thursday. "This is on top of all of the other vile comments. You should very easily be able to say we need you need to continue to work together. If there's crime, whether it's white, black, who cares? So, I would just be very clear on this – anyone in this state, especially elected officials who are unable to condemn this vile attack on our neighbors in our state, you are complicit in it, and it will not stand in Minnesota. I tell our Somali neighbors, I tell our Hmong neighbors, I tell all of our neighbors in Minnesota – you're respected, you're valued. We're proud of this state that ranks near the top in almost every single category. And I will tell you, the only thing that's hurting this state… Is Donald Trump himself."

8 a.m. - Prayer, rally to denounce Trump's comments

Trump targets Somali community in MN: The latest

Community members on Thursday will be rallying against and denouncing the Trump Administration's attacks against Somalis in Minnesota, as well as immigration enforcement that targets Somalis in the Twin Cities.

A citywide prayer service is planned for noon on Thursday to stand in solidarity with the Twin Cities Somali community. The event will be held at the Brian Coyle Center and will feature music.

Then, at 1 p.m., clergy from multiple faiths will hold a press conference to denounce Trump's attacks on Somali-Americans in Minnesota.

Watch the prayer service and press conference in the player at the top of the page.

Immigration Minneapolis Minnesota