United States Citizenship and Immigration Services agents conducted operations at student housing communities at the University of Minnesota last month, according to International Student and Scholar Services.

International residents at the University’s Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative in St. Paul and GrandMarc Seven Corners on West Bank, were interviewed by USCIS agents asking for information related to applications for Optional Practical Training and STEM OPT extension.

Optional Practical Training is a benefit offered to individuals on F-1 visas, allowing them 12 months of temporary employment before or after completing their academic studies. Residents were also questioned about their STEM OPT extension, which is a 24-month extension of OPT employment authorization for students in science, technology, engineering or mathematics-related fields.

USCIS confirmed a joint operation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, dubbed “Operation Twin Shield,” across the Twin Cities, in a Sept. 30 press release. The operation targeted alleged cases of immigration fraud, including verifications for applicants and petitioners with pending immigration benefits, according to the statement.

Federal officials said they pursued over 1000 suspected cases of fraud, involving more than 900 individuals. Of these cases, officials claimed 275 uncovered evidence of fraud, non-compliance or threats to public or national safety, including marriage fraud, visa overstays, forged documents and abuse of the H1-B and F-1 visa systems.

“The University will continue to keep all community members who are affected by immigration policies well-informed so they can best navigate their responsibilities in compliance with law and policy,” the University said in a statement.

The University also said that it had no advance notice of the operation and reiterated ISSS’s confidentiality regarding individual data.

“International students and scholars have been and will always be an essential part of the University of Minnesota,” the University said. “Campus departments of public safety, including UMPD, do not enforce federal immigration laws and our officers do not inquire about an individual’s immigration status.”

Executive director of the Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative, Tiffany Maloney, also said property management was unaware of the Sept. 22 operation until they received reports from residents.

University third-year Ari Ayala said students at his apartment complex, GrandMarc, reported USCIS officers attempted to enter the building on Sept. 26 and 27. He said the officers arrived the evening of Sept. 26 and returned the following morning at approximately 11:00 a.m.

Several GrandMarc residents who spoke with the Minnesota Daily said they had not received any communication from apartment management or the University. American Campus Communities, Grandmarc’s parent organization, did not respond to the Daily’s request for comment.

The University said they had no additional information to share about which off and on-campus apartments and housing complexes were visited.

USCIS operations come at a time of increased pressure on international students at the University. Students who spoke with the Daily said it has been increasingly difficult to navigate uncertainties in the U.S.’s academic and political environment as new and proposed immigration regulations come into effect.

The Department of Homeland Security proposed changes to how certain holders are admitted to the U.S. on Aug. 28. The proposal to limit the duration of F-1 visas to four years could disrupt international doctoral students.

A Sept. 19 executive order from President Donald Trump also restricted issuance of H1-B work visas to immigrants, except for applications accompanied by a $100,000 payment. The order could affect many international students holding visas who transition to H1-B status from OPT following the completion of their studies.

It remains unclear whether there will be follow-up from USCIS or other immigration agencies on the operations. The ISSS advised international students to contact their office for support if they had been contacted by USCIS.

This story was originally published on Minnesota Daily on October 8, 2025.