DHS Launches Operation PARRIS, Major Refugee Fraud Investigation in Minnesota
Published Jan 9, 2026
DHS and USCIS have launched Operation PARRIS, a large-scale review of refugee cases in Minnesota aimed at uncovering fraud. The initiative targets 5,600 Minnesota refugees who have not yet obtained lawful permanent resident status, with fraud or crime cases being referred to ICE.
Key points
- Operation PARRIS stands for Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening.
- The initial focus is on 5,600 Minnesota refugees who have not yet received Green Cards.
- USCIS's newly established vetting center is leading the reinterviews and background checks.
- The operation began in mid-December 2025 and is now referring fraud and crime cases to ICE.
- It is tied to enhanced vetting requirements under Executive Order 14161 and Presidential Proclamation 10949.
- It builds on an earlier investigation, Operation Twin Shield, in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area.
Who is affected
Refugees in Minnesota who have not yet adjusted to lawful permanent resident status are directly affected.
What to do
Affected individuals should monitor any USCIS correspondence or requests related to their case and respond promptly.
Full text
The complete official text was archived on this site on 2026-10-13. It stays available here even if the source link changes or is removed.
Release Date
01/09/2026
Operation PARRIS Targets Fraudulent Refugee Applications in Minnesota
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have launched Operation PARRIS in Minnesota, a sweeping initiative reexamining thousands of refugee cases through new background checks and intensive verification of refugee claims. They have now begun referring cases of fraud and other crimes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The initial focus is on Minnesota’s 5,600 refugees who have not yet been given lawful permanent resident status (Green Cards). USCIS’ newly established vetting center is leading Operation PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening), with adjudicators conducting thorough background checks, reinterviews, and merit reviews of refugee claims.
“Minnesota is ground zero for the war on fraud,” said a DHS spokesperson. “This operation in Minnesota demonstrates that the Trump administration will not stand idly by as the U.S. immigration system is weaponized by those seeking to defraud the American people. American citizens and the rule of law come first, always.”
Begun in mid-December and now referring cases to ICE, Operation PARRIS is part of a broader strategy to implement enhanced screening standards under Executive Order 14161 and Presidential Proclamation 10949. These directives require federal agencies to identify and implement new vetting enhancements to safeguard the nation from foreign terrorists and other public safety threats.
USCIS’ efforts in Minnesota build on the success of Operation Twin Shield, a recent investigation that uncovered widespread immigration fraud in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. The agency remains committed to conducting maximum vetting of all aliens, rooting out fraud, and ensuring the safety of all Americans.
01/09/2026
Original title: DHS Launches Landmark USCIS Fraud Investigation in Minnesota
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