Minnesota Leaders Say Immigration Surge Did Lasting Damage. Kristi Noem Says It Was for Public Safety.

The Homeland Security secretary, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison all spoke about “Operation Metro Surge” on Capitol Hill.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a hearing.

Gov. Tim Walz said the Trump administration’s immigration surge was a “brutal campaign.” Rod Lamkey/AP

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison told lawmakers on Wednesday that the Trump administration’s immigration surge in the state had hurt its people, its law enforcement efforts and its economy.

Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was unapologetic.

“The Democrat party is very concerned with illegal aliens in this country,” Noem said. “I will tell you as Secretary of Homeland Security it is my job to get up every day to be concerned for American citizens.”