The Trump administration announced Thursday that it is ending its large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota.
Border czar Tom Homan confirmed the decision during a press conference in Minneapolis, saying the operation known as Operation Metro Surge is being scaled back following weeks of enforcement activity and coordination with local authorities. “I have proposed and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said.
Earlier this month, Homan announced that 700 agents would be withdrawn immediately, leaving about 2,000 still operating in the state. A “significant drawdown” of federal immigration officers has already begun and is expected to continue into next week. While many agents will leave the state, Homan said some personnel will remain in select locations to continue working with county sheriffs and local jails. He added that immigration enforcement would not end entirely. “If you’re in this country illegally, you’re not off the table,” Homan said.
The surge began on Nov. 29, when the administration deployed more than 3,000 immigration officers to Minnesota, far above the roughly 150 federal agents previously assigned to the area. Minneapolis, a city of about 250,000 residents, has a police force of approximately 600 officers. According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 4,000 arrests have been made since the operation began, though officials have not released details on how many involved criminal charges. Homan also said more than 200 people were arrested for interfering with law enforcement during the crackdown.
The operation drew widespread criticism after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot in separate encounters involving immigration agents. Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, were both killed during confrontations tied to the enforcement effort, prompting international outrage and renewed scrutiny of the operation. “I don’t want to see any more bloodshed,” Homan said. “I pray every night for the safety or law enforcement personnel and the safety of those in the community, whether you’re here legally or illegally I don’t want to say anybody harmed.”
Following Pretti’s death, federal officials began reducing the operation’s footprint. Customs and Border Protection commander Gregory Bovino was removed from his leadership role and reassigned to California, after which Homan assumed direct control of the Minnesota effort. Homan acknowledged problems with the operation’s early execution. “As I said in my first press conference a couple weeks ago, President Trump didn’t send me here because operation were being run and conducted perfectly,” he said. “I came here to identify issues and implement solutions to improve our mission execution.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said this week that he expected the operation to wrap up within days, not months, following conversations with senior administration officials, including Homan and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also described a recent meeting with Homan as productive and said discussions focused on further reducing the federal presence.
Homan praised both Democratic leaders for working with federal authorities and for rhetoric he said helped calm clashes between protesters and law enforcement. “We’ve seen a big change here in the last couple of weeks,” Homan said. “And it’s all good changes.”
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