Deadly Surge Prompts Leadership Overhaul (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Minneapolis – White House border czar Tom Homan detailed plans on Thursday to scale back the intense federal immigration enforcement operations across Minnesota, provided state and local authorities step up cooperation.[1][2]
Deadly Surge Prompts Leadership Overhaul
The announcement came amid widespread controversy over Operation Metro Surge, which deployed around 3,000 agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection to the Twin Cities area. Federal teams conducted sweeps that led to arrests of undocumented immigrants, including some without criminal records. Two U.S. citizens lost their lives in separate incidents involving agents: Renee Macklin Good two weeks earlier and Alex Pretti on January 24.[1]
Critics pointed to aggressive tactics, such as masked agents entering homes and clashes with observers. President Donald Trump responded by removing Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino on Tuesday and installing Homan to lead the effort. Homan acknowledged shortcomings right away. “I do not want to hear that everything that’s been done here has been perfect,” he told reporters at the Whipple Federal Building. “Nothing’s perfect, anything can be improved on.”[1][2]
Targeted Enforcement Takes Priority
Homan shifted focus to precision over broad sweeps. Future arrests would target undocumented individuals with criminal convictions, public safety risks, or national security concerns first. “All operations will be targeted, but the prioritization are going to be criminal aliens, public safety threats and national security threats,” he explained.[3] Community members remained off-limits, though incidental detentions could still occur.
Internal changes aimed to enhance safety and compliance. Homan promised to address any unprofessional conduct among officers. He stressed that the core mission endured. “We are not surrendering the president’s mission on immigration enforcement,” the border czar declared.[1]
Cooperation as Key to Federal Exit
The drawdown hinged on partnerships with Minnesota officials. Homan called for access to undocumented immigrants held in state prisons and county jails. “Give us access to the illegal alien and public safety threat in the safety and security of the jail,” he urged. “It’s common sense. It’s safer for the community. It’s safer for the agent. And it’s safer for the alien.”[2]
- Minnesota Department of Corrections already honors ICE detainer requests.
- County jails agreed to notify federal authorities of release dates for criminal risks, per discussions with Attorney General Keith Ellison.
- Sheriffs confirmed routine notifications but cited legal limits on extended holds.
- Homan met with Governor Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey, and law enforcement leaders to build bridges.
“As we see that cooperation happen, the redeployment will happen,” Homan stated. He committed to staying until order returned but anticipated fewer agents on streets with better jailhouse handoffs.[2][3]
Divided Responses from State Leaders
Local figures welcomed aspects of the pivot but demanded more. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called any agent reduction “a step in the right direction” while insisting Operation Metro Surge end entirely. A spokesman for Governor Walz echoed calls for a full drawdown, fair probes into the shootings, and no retaliation against the state.[1]
Democratic lawmakers decried community fear around schools and bus stops. Republicans pressed for good-faith collaboration over sanctuary stances. Homan urged de-escalation. “The hostile rhetoric and dangerous threats and hate must stop,” he said, linking tensions to recent violence.[3]
Key Takeaways:
- Drawdown tied to jail access and reduced interference.
- Enforcement narrows to criminals and threats.
- Two deaths fuel demands for accountability.
This evolving strategy balances enforcement goals with calls for restraint, potentially reshaping federal-state dynamics in immigration hotspots. As agents adjust tactics, Minnesota watches for tangible relief. What impact will cooperation have on the streets? Share your thoughts in the comments.
