Federal Agent Drawdown in Minnesota Continues Amidst Scrutiny
– The drawdown of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota is continuing, according to White House border czar Tom Homan. The move, which began last week, has sparked questions from immigration attorneys and raised concerns about ongoing enforcement activity.
Homan announced the drawdown on , stating that more than 2,000 agents had already begun to depart the state and the process would continue for approximately another week. He indicated the plan was to reduce the federal presence while seeking to “regain law and order” in Minnesota, according to reports.
However, the scale of the drawdown has been met with skepticism. Some observers of ICE activity suggest that a large-scale reduction may not be fully realized, with indications that enforcement efforts are simply shifting outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. According to a report from MPR News, activity has decreased in Minneapolis and St. Paul, but has continued elsewhere in the state.
The drawdown comes after a funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security was disrupted by the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota. Senator Susan Collins of Maine reported that ICE was halting “enhanced operations” in the state following discussions with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. New videos have emerged showing Pretti interacting with federal immigration agents prior to his death, prompting questions about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Homan has called on local leaders to collaborate with federal agents and “tone down the dangerous rhetoric” surrounding immigration enforcement. He also admitted that operations in Minnesota could be improved. President Trump, while initially resisting calls for Noem’s removal, has signaled a desire to “de-escalate a little bit” in the state, reportedly driven by a desire to improve the optics of his administration’s immigration policies.
The reduction in ICE’s presence is not occurring without some internal security concerns. A post on Facebook from Fox 17 Online highlighted concerns about the security of remaining ICE agents, with commenters noting the need for security for agents across the US and expressing skepticism about local police support.
The situation is further complicated by recent legal challenges to ICE’s actions. Reports indicate a judge threatened a government lawyer with fines after ICE violated a court order. Cases have emerged involving significant delays and difficulties in locating individuals detained by ICE, with one judge describing a family disappearing into an “ICE black hole” for over two weeks. A kidney transplant recipient was also reportedly held in ICE custody for two weeks before being returned home to Minnesota.
The ongoing changes in Minnesota reflect a broader debate about the role of federal immigration enforcement and the balance between national security and local concerns. The drawdown plan, as outlined by Homan, aims to adjust the federal presence while addressing criticisms and seeking greater cooperation from local authorities. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains to be seen, particularly as enforcement activity continues outside the Twin Cities.
The future of ICE operations in Minnesota remains uncertain, but the current drawdown signals a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to immigration enforcement in the state. Immigration attorneys are closely watching the situation, seeking clarity on the long-term implications for their clients and the broader immigrant community.
