Trump Administration Reduces Immigration Enforcement in Minnesota After Local Cooperation

Federal Immigration Enforcement to Scale Back in Minnesota Following Cooperation Agreements

Minneapolis, MN – February 4, 2026 – The Trump administration will reduce the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota after reaching agreements with state and local officials regarding cooperation on immigration enforcement, border czar Tom Homan announced Wednesday.

Approximately 700 of the roughly 3,000 federal officers currently deployed in Minnesota will be withdrawn, Homan said. The decision comes after President Donald Trump signaled a willingness to ease tensions in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, and follows the conclusion of “enhanced operations” in Maine.

“Given this increase in unprecedented collaboration, and as a result of the need for less public safety officers to do this work and a safer environment, I am announcing, effective immediately, we’ll draw down 700 people effective today — 700 law enforcement personnel,” Homan stated during a news conference.

The drawdown is contingent upon continued cooperation from state and local leaders and a reduction in interference from protesters. Last week, Homan indicated that a reduction in federal agents was possible, but only if state and local officials cooperated with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Homan emphasized the importance of local jails alerting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to inmates who may be deportable. He argued that transferring these individuals to ICE custody within the jail setting is safer for officers and reduces the need for them to actively search for individuals in the community.

“Give us access to illegal aliens, public safety threats in the safety and security of a jail,” Homan said. “That means fewer officers have to actually be out on the streets looking for immigrants in the country illegally.”

The move follows a period of heightened tension in the Twin Cities, particularly after a federal immigration officer fatally shot protester Alex Pretti, marking the second such shooting this month. Homan addressed reporters for the first time since being sent to Minneapolis following Pretti’s death.

While acknowledging that immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota haven’t been “perfect,” Homan maintained that the administration is not abandoning its immigration crackdown. He also stated he is not leaving Minneapolis until the crackdown on illegal immigration is complete, saying, “I’m not leaving until we get it all done.”

The White House has consistently attributed challenges in arresting individuals with criminal records to “sanctuary jurisdictions” – state and local governments that limit cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security.

Homan expressed confidence in the success of the ICE operation in Minnesota, stating, “Yeah, I just listed a bunch of people we took off the streets of the Twin Cities, so I think it’s very effective as far as public safety goes.” He added that internal changes are being overseen within federal immigration law enforcement, though specifics were not provided.

Homan also noted “zero tolerance” for protesters who assault federal officers or impede ongoing operations.