Who Is Mahad Abdulkadir Yusuf?
Federal immigration authorities say that Yusuf originally entered the United States in 1996 and at one point held lawful permanent resident status.
Over the years, he developed a criminal record that federal agents characterize as serious and violent:
In 2016, he was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for forcing a victim to perform oral sex on him multiple times, according to ICE statements.
The agency also notes a prior arrest for first-degree assault in 2016 and an active 2024 warrant for obstructing police.
Federal authorities describe Yusuf as a “dangerous criminal” and assert that his continued presence in the community without federal custody poses a serious risk to public safety.
Federal Authorities: Sanctuary Policies Impeded Enforcement
ICE has publicly linked Yusuf’s prolonged freedom to Minnesota’s sanctuary-style policies and local resistance to federal immigration enforcement.
In statements following his arrest, the agency alleged that prior attempts to take Yusuf into custody were thwarted by at least one interfering third party — namely, the manager of his Lake Street apartment building, who allegedly prevented federal agents from entering when they tried to arrest him in the past.
Federal officials also argue that Minnesota’s sanctuary policies — which generally limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities (including restrictions on honoring ICE detainers or sharing certain information) — create operational challenges for ICE and other federal agents seeking to locate and apprehend noncitizens who are wanted on immigration or criminal warrants. Continue reading…
