The Trump administration is ending its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, according to border czar Tom Homan. The drawdown follows months of Operation Metro Surge, during which roughly 3,000 armed immigration agents were deployed to deport migrants in the state. Homan confirmed that he proposed ending the operation and President Trump concurred.
The surge had provoked widespread unrest in Minneapolis, with residents protesting the presence of masked, military-style agents. During January, two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot while observing or protesting the operation, drawing national attention and criticism.
Homan noted that approximately 700 agents had already been withdrawn last week and that the remainder, many from other states, would leave in the coming week. Prior to the surge, Minnesota had around 150 immigration agents. The decision comes amid what Homan described as “unprecedented” coordination with local law enforcement agencies.
The deployment faced strong opposition from Minnesota officials. Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the operation, with Frey calling it “catastrophic” and noting the community’s resilience in the face of what he described as an occupation. Federal courts have also reprimanded U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for failing to comply with orders to release wrongfully detained migrants.
The operation drew bipartisan scrutiny, with some Republicans criticizing the handling of the two deaths and the administration’s initial labeling of the victims as “domestic terrorists.” Senator Rand Paul emphasized the importance of respecting constitutional rights during protests, warning that misstatements by officials can exacerbate tensions.
The end of the surge is expected to reduce tensions in Minnesota while marking a de-escalation of Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics in the state.
