MINNEAPOLIS — The intensive immigration enforcement in Minnesota, which sparked widespread detentions, protests, and resulted in two fatalities, is drawing to a close, according to border chief Tom Homan, who made the announcement on Thursday.
“Due to our initiatives here, Minnesota is now less of a haven for criminals,” Homan stated during a press conference.
He added, “I’ve recommended, and President Trump has agreed, that it’s time to wrap up this surge operation.”
The operation, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, was initiated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on December 1.
Federal officials report that raids concentrated in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area have led to over 4,000 arrests. Although the Trump administration describes those detained as “dangerous criminal illegal aliens,” the sweeps have also caught up many individuals without criminal records, including minors and U.S. citizens.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz indicated on Tuesday that, following discussions with top officials in the Trump administration, he anticipates the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge in a matter of “days, not weeks or months.” Walz mentioned that he had conversations this week with both Homan and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also said he had a “positive meeting” with Homan on Monday and discussed the potential for a further drawdown of federal officers.
Homan took over the Minnesota operation in late January after the second fatal shooting by federal immigration agents and amid growing political backlash and questions about how the operation was being run.
“We’re very much in a trust but verify mode,” Walz said, adding that he expected to hear more from the administration “in the next day or so” about the future of what he said has been an “occupation” and a “retribution campaign” against the state.
Officials with the Department of Homeland Security did not reply to a request for comment on the governor’s remarks.
Walz said he had no reason not to believe Homan’s statement last week that 700 federal officers would leave Minnesota immediately, but the governor added that that still left 2,300 on Minnesota’s streets. Homan at the time cited an “increase in unprecedented collaboration” resulting in the need for fewer federal officers in Minnesota, including help from jails that hold deportable inmates.
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