Immigration Crackdown in Minnesota to End After Weeks of Tension
Minneapolis – A large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota is coming to an end, officials announced Thursday, following weeks of heightened tensions and protests. The decision marks a significant shift in the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, though officials insist a commitment to mass deportations remains.
Tom Homan, President Trump’s border czar, stated at a news conference in Minneapolis that he had proposed concluding the operation, dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” and that the President had concurred. “I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said.
A significant drawdown of personnel has already begun this week and will continue into next, according to Homan. The operation, which began in early December, involved the deployment of approximately 3,000 federal officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). Last week, Homan announced the departure of 700 officers, and further withdrawals are planned.
The crackdown sparked widespread disruption in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, with many residents reportedly remaining indoors for weeks out of fear of arrest. Thousands participated in protests against the operation, which critics characterized as overly aggressive and disruptive to communities.
The situation escalated following the deaths of two U.S. Citizens, Renee Good on January 7th and Alex Pretti on January 24th, during encounters with federal agents. These incidents fueled further outrage and intensified calls for an end to the operation.
Homan indicated he would remain in Minneapolis “for a little while” to oversee the final stages of the operation and the withdrawal of personnel. “A reduced contingent will remain on site for a period of time to finalize the operation and transfer command to local authorities, as well as to ensure that the activities of agitators continue to diminish,” he said, referring to the protesters.
Despite ending the surge operation, Homan emphasized that immigration enforcement would continue. “President Trump made a promise of mass deportation and that’s what this country is going to get,” he stated.
The announcement was met with relief from local officials. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the state could now move forward. “The long road to recovery starts now,” Walz posted on social media. “The impact on our economy, our schools, and people’s lives won’t be reversed overnight. That work starts today.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a vocal opponent of the ICE operation from the outset, celebrated the decision. “They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation,” Frey posted on X. “These patriots of Minneapolis are showing that it’s not just about resistance — standing with our neighbors is deeply American.”
Homan defended the operation as a success, stating, “Today Minneapolis is safer because we arrested four thousand illegal aliens.” He also suggested that improved cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement had contributed to the decision to end the surge, allowing for more immigration detentions to occur within jail facilities rather than through street operations. He also cited increased responsiveness from local law enforcement to protests as a factor.
The operation, described by the Department of Homeland Security as its “largest immigration enforcement operation ever,” had become a major point of contention for the Trump administration and proved more volatile than similar crackdowns in Chicago and Los Angeles. A recent poll indicated that a majority of U.S. Adults believe Trump’s immigration policies have gone too far.
