(The Center Square) – A multi-agency investigation has uncovered massive immigration fraud in the Minneapolis and St. Paul region, federal authorities said. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a targeted fraud operation over a 10-day-period called Operation Twin Shield in the Twin Cities region. After performing roughly 1,000 site visits, agents uncovered an initial 275 suspected cases of immigration fraud. “Immigration fraud undermines the integrity of our lawful immigration system, harms those who follow the law, and poses risks to national security and public safety. “USCIS immigration officers are now empowered to thoroughly vet aliens as required by law, and to pursue immigration fraud wherever it’s encountered,” USCIS said.