The large-scale federal immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which resulted in significant public outcry and the deaths of two American citizens, is now being scaled back, according to a senior administration official.
Tom Homan, the administration’s top border official, stated that a “significant drawdown” of personnel is already in progress and will continue over the coming days. He indicated that he had recommended ending the surge operation and that the President had agreed.
“This surge operation will conclude,” Homan announced, clarifying that agents deployed to Minnesota will be reassigned to their regular duties or to other locations. He said security teams would remain in the state to monitor what he described as “agitators” opposing enforcement actions.
The operation, which began in force last December and intensified in January, saw thousands of federal agents deployed across the state, at times outnumbering local law enforcement. The presence led to widespread detentions and fueled protests after two U.S. citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by agents while observing their activities.
While state and local officials had cautiously welcomed signals of a potential reduction, they emphasized the need to see concrete evidence of the withdrawal on the ground.
Homan framed the federal intervention as a success, asserting that Minnesota is “now less of a sanctuary state for criminals.” He cited improved coordination with local authorities, who he said are now more responsive in managing protest-related incidents. He also noted new procedures for jails to transfer undocumented individuals to federal custody.
Despite the drawdown in Minnesota, the official reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to a broad national immigration enforcement strategy. He denied any retreat from the goal of mass deportations, stating that while individuals deemed threats to public safety or national security remain the priority, enforcement actions against others would continue.
The announcement follows reports of a notable decline in public support for the administration’s immigration policies in the wake of the Minnesota shootings.
