Federal Immigration Enforcement to Scale Back in Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN – – The Trump administration announced today it will withdraw 700 federal law enforcement officers from Minnesota, effective immediately. The decision comes after weeks of heightened immigration enforcement in the state, dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” and follows protests sparked by fatal shootings involving federal agents.
Border czar Tom Homan made the announcement at a news conference held at the Bishop Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. According to Homan, the drawdown is a result of increased cooperation from state and local officials in turning over arrested immigrants. Despite the reduction, approximately 2,000 federal agents will remain in Minnesota.
The initial surge saw over 2,000 agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies deployed to Minneapolis beginning in December. This was in addition to roughly 800 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, including Border Patrol staff. Prior to the operation, approximately 150 federal immigration authorities were present in the city.
The move to scale back enforcement follows a period of intense scrutiny and public outcry. Protests erupted after federal agents fatally shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey had called for the complete removal of federal immigration enforcement agents from the region.
Homan stated that the administration intends to eventually return to pre-surge staffing levels, but further withdrawals will depend on continued cooperation from local law enforcement and the wider community. He emphasized that the mission of mass deportations will continue, stating, “If you’re in the country illegally, you are not off the table.”
The Department of Homeland Security has reported that agents have arrested approximately 3,000 undocumented immigrants since the start of Operation Metro Surge. Homan indicated that the current approach represents “smarter enforcement, not less enforcement,” clarifying that local authorities will not be conducting immigration enforcement.
Recent developments also include a decision to equip all federal officers in Minneapolis with body cameras, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. A federal judge has also lifted a temporary restraining order related to the investigation of the shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office affirmed that its policy of not cooperating with civil immigration enforcement requests remains unchanged, despite Homan’s claim of “unprecedented cooperation” from county officials.
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who was charged last week in connection with coverage of an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a St. Paul church, reportedly offered to turn himself in but was arrested by federal agents at a Los Angeles hotel. Representative Kelly Morrison has also publicly criticized conditions inside the Whipple Federal Building, calling them “unacceptable.”
