President Donald Trump’s border enforcement chief announced Thursday the end of an intensified immigration crackdown in Minnesota, following weeks of large protests and nationwide outrage over the fatal shootings of two US citizens.
In recent weeks, thousands of federal agents including officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), carried out sweeping raids and arrests in operations the administration described as targeted actions against criminal suspects.
“I have proposed and President Trump has concurred that this surge operation conclude,” senior administration official Tom Homan said at a briefing outside Minneapolis. “A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue through the next week.”
The enforcement campaign triggered tense demonstrations across the Minneapolis area. Public anger intensified after the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which occurred less than three weeks apart last month. Critics also pointed to videos showing masked agents using force and reports alleging that some individuals were targeted on weak evidence.
Homan said officers deployed to Minnesota would return to their home stations or be reassigned elsewhere in the country, though he declined to specify potential new locations.
“In the next week, we’re going to redeploy the officers here back to their home stations or other areas of the country where they are needed,” he said. “But we’re going to continue to enforce immigration law.”
Trump’s hardline stance on illegal immigration was central to his 2024 election victory. However, the Minnesota operations and high-profile cases including the January 20 detention of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, contributed to declining approval ratings for the president.
After the killings of Good and Pretti, Trump removed Customs and Border Protection commander Gregory Bovino and replaced him with Homan, who has sought to engage local Democratic leaders.
Minneapolis is a Democratic-led “sanctuary” city, where local police generally do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Opposition lawmakers have called for sweeping reforms to ICE, including banning mobile patrols, prohibiting agents from concealing their identities, and requiring judicial warrants for enforcement actions.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security faces a potential funding shortfall if political negotiations in Washington stall. While ICE and Customs and Border Protection could continue operating with previously approved funds, other agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could be affected.
Homan said some federal officers would remain in Minnesota but did not specify how many.
“The Twin Cities and Minnesota in general are and will continue to be much safer because of what we have accomplished under President Trump’s leadership,” he said.
He added that more than 200 people were arrested during the operation for allegedly interfering with federal officers but did not provide figures for immigration-related arrests or deportations.
AFP
