Minneapolis — U.S. immigration authorities have detained a former Minnesota correctional officer accused of immigration fraud and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship, federal officials said.
The arrest was carried out on Jan. 15 in Minneapolis by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a joint enforcement effort with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The operation, known as Operation Twin Shield, targeted suspected immigration fraud in the Minneapolis–St—Paul metropolitan area.
Authorities identified the individual as Morris Brown, 45, a Liberian national.
According to federal officials, Brown entered the United States in 2014 on a non-immigrant student visa.
His visa was terminated in 2015 after he failed to maintain full-time enrollment, leaving him without legal immigration status.
Despite this, investigators allege that Brown enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 2014. Officials said he later went absent without leave and was apprehended before being discharged in 2022 under other than honorable conditions.
In 2020, Brown applied for lawful permanent residence under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) program, which allows certain Liberian nationals who have resided in the United States to adjust their status. USCIS denied the application, citing alleged misrepresentations, including failure to disclose prior military service and false claims of U.S. citizenship.
Federal officials said Brown later applied for naturalization in 2024, allegedly basing his eligibility on prior military service.
During a review of that application, USCIS investigators said they uncovered additional evidence of suspected marriage fraud and previous instances in which Brown allegedly claimed to be a U.S. citizen on official documents.
Investigators also determined that Brown had been employed as a corrections officer in Minnesota, allegedly representing himself as a U.S. citizen despite lacking lawful status. USCIS referred the case to ICE for enforcement action.
Brown now faces removal proceedings and potential criminal charges related to immigration fraud and false claims to U.S. citizenship.
Authorities have not indicated whether he has legal representation.
In a statement, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the department would continue pursuing cases involving alleged fraud and misrepresentation within the immigration system.
ICE said the investigation remains ongoing.
