The Trump administration has announced it will wind down its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, a months-long operation that resulted in the deaths of two US citizens, mass detentions, and widespread protests. The decision was confirmed by Tom Homan, the US border czar, during a press briefing on Thursday.
“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said, noting that a significant drawdown of agents had already begun this week and would continue. Agents will return to their normal duties or be reassigned, with staffing levels returning to around 100. However, security teams will remain to respond to what Homan called “agitators” opposing immigration enforcement.
The crackdown, which escalated in December and January, saw federal agents outnumbering the largest police departments in the Twin Cities. During the operation, agents killed two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, sparking nationwide protests and local organising to monitor agents and support immigrants. Homan took over from Greg Bovino, who oversaw the operation when the killings occurred.
Homan previously sent home roughly 700 agents earlier this month, leaving about 2,000 in the state. Since then, agents have continued removals, increasingly in suburban and rural areas. Homan cited “unprecedented coordination” with local law enforcement and claimed Minnesota is “now less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” calling the operation a “success”.
Governor Tim Walz expressed “skeptical optimism” after Homan assured him agents would leave quickly. Walz offered to help them “get to the airport” and noted the state had not changed its immigration policies. He announced a proposed $10m programme of forgivable loans for small businesses to address economic disruption, pending legislative approval. “The fact of the matter is they left us with deep damage, generational trauma,” Walz said, raising unanswered questions about the deaths of Good and Pretti.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised residents’ resilience, writing on social media: “They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbours and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation.” Local and state officials remained cautious, saying they would believe the drawdown only when evidence is seen on the ground.
