Border Czar says Trump agreed to end Minnesota immigration crackdown, says 'I proposed, president concurred'

Donald Trump, Minnesota, immigration

The Trump administration has announced plans to end its controversial immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, weeks after federal raids sparked protests and political criticism following the killing of two US citizens.

Speaking outside Minneapolis on Thursday, President Trump’s border advisor Tom Homan confirmed the decision.

“I have proposed and President Trump has concurred that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said, according to AFP. “A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue through the next week.”

The operation involved thousands of federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, conducting raids and arrests across parts of Minnesota. While the administration said the actions targeted criminal suspects, daily videos of masked agents detaining people and reports of arrests based on weak evidence drew sharp criticism and contributed to a dip in Trump’s approval ratings.

The fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti last month intensified public outrage, as did the detention of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos on January 20.

Homan suggested officers in Minnesota could be reassigned, without specifying locations. “In the next week, we’re going to deploy the officers here on detail, back to their home stations or other areas of the country where they are needed. But we’re going to continue to enforce immigration law,” he told AFP.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the crackdown, calling the ICE operation “catastrophic for our neighbors and businesses.” He added: “Now it’s time for a great comeback. We will show the same commitment to our immigrant residents.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the deployment as an “unprecedented federal invasion in all aspects of life.” He expressed cautious optimism over the drawdown, saying, “This is something I don’t think any state has ever experienced.”

After the killings of Good and Pretti, President Trump removed CBP commander Gregory Bovino and replaced him with Homan, who has engaged with local Democratic leaders. Minneapolis, a Democratic-run sanctuary city, does not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Some residents remain unconvinced. “I don’t buy it,” said Molly, a 42-year-old banking product manager, speaking to AFP. “They pulled the same public relations [stunt] in Los Angeles,” referring to a similar crackdown in California last year.

The raids have sparked national debate. Democrats in the Senate blocked a measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security after a four-hour hearing on the Minnesota operation, with demands for reforms including banning mobile patrols, prohibiting masked officers, and requiring warrants.

While ICE and CBP may continue operations with existing funds, sub-agencies such as FEMA could face disruptions if funding gaps persist.

Homan said some officers will remain in Minnesota, but did not provide numbers. “The Twin Cities, Minnesota in general, are and will continue to be, much safer for the communities here because of what we have accomplished under President Trump’s leadership,” he said.

He added that more than 200 people were arrested for allegedly interfering with federal officers, without disclosing the number of immigration-related arrests or deportations.

“The lasting impact of these traumas will reverberate for years, but our communities have shown how connected and resilient we are,” community organiser Liz Digitale Anderson told AFP.