Waiting for answers: KTTC’s continued push for ‘Metro Surge’ costs from public officials

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTTC) – Two months after KTTC’s quest for federal data on Operation Metro Surge began, we remain without answers from either the U.S. government or Congress.

In January, KTTC produced a news report called How much are federal immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota costing taxpayers? It was prompted, in part, by a viewer question as the immigration enforcement crackdown was intensifying in the Gopher State.

KTTC’s Jan. 19 coverage stated, “Recently, there have been cost estimates floated by some news organizations and on social media, however, KTTC has found nothing to verify any of the claims. That finding is further substantiated through the direct response that KTTC has received from the federal government itself.”

In response to our request for dollar amounts tied to what’s been labeled as the nation’s largest immigration enforcement effort ever, then assistant secretary of public affairs for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, asked KTTC if we intended to “to write a story on the billion-dollar price tag of benefits going toward illegal aliens in sanctuary cities? The cost of American lives saved is uncalculatable [sic],” she said.

The Jan. 15 DHS reply came without financial figures or an indication as to when such data would be made available.

McLaughlin left the Trump administration in late-February.

During the month of February, KTTC reached out to DHS’s press office two times seeking an update to our initial request for financial information.

With no acknowledgement from DHS, on Feb. 26, KTTC submitted a public records request, through the Freedom of Information Act, for federal accounting figures—wages and per diems—paid to federal law enforcement officers involved with the Minnesota immigration crackdown. An automated reply was received to confirm our submission.

On the congregational side

KTTC has also been seeking updates from Minnesota’s First District congressman. During a Jan. 14 interview, KTTC asked Rep. Brad Finstad about Operation Metro Surge costs.

“So we haven’t got brief, we haven’t been briefed yet on the cost for this operation,” The Republican from New Ulm said. “We are actually debating the Department of Homeland Security’s budget, appropriations budget here in Congress in the next couple of weeks. And so I’m sure that will be part of that conversation here in the short term, but no specific numbers as to date.”

KTTC has since reached out to Finstad’s communications director three times for a status report. There’s been no response.

In an email dated Feb. 26, we asked Finstad’s office, “...is there any update you can provide us on operational costs that have been shared with Congress? Is it concerning to Rep. Finstad that DHS will not respond to KTTC’s request for public data?”

A March 4 deadline was provided to Finstad’s team.

In late-January, KTTC shared our reporting on DHS’s initial response with Minnesota’s congressional delegation representing the southeast portion of the state.

We asked Finstad and DFL Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith to review our coverage and offered them an opportunity to provide a statement.

“Minnesotans deserve to know how much this administration’s chaotic ICE surge is costing taxpayers,” said Klobuchar. “From the start, DHS has not been forthcoming and refused to provide critical information about ICE’s conduct and operations to elected officials, the press, and the public. That is unacceptable.”

Neither Smith nor Finstad provided a response for the report.

Last summer, Congress approved President Donald Trump’s so-called One, Big Beautiful Bill. It brought with it $170 billion in additional funding for immigration and border enforcement-related activities.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one recent example of the challenges, we as journalists, are facing getting answers for our viewers and followers. We’re encountering some of these same challenges on the state level, as well. When we request specific information or seek an interview, it’s not uncommon to be left waiting. Yet, we continue pushing for accountability and transparency from our public leaders. There is more to come from KTTC.

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