Tom Homan, the White House border czar, announced on Wednesday that 700 federal immigration agents would conclude a month-long enforcement surge in Minneapolis, which has been marked by heightened law enforcement activity and two fatalities. Homan indicated that the decision to reduce personnel was facilitated by significant cooperation between federal and local officials.
The departing agents are primarily from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, approximately 2,000 federal law enforcement officers will remain in the area. Homan characterized this strategy as “smart law enforcement” and noted that a complete withdrawal of federal agents would be contingent on ongoing cooperation from Minnesota authorities.
During the press conference, Homan acknowledged the public criticism surrounding the deaths of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were killed during federal operations. He emphasized the expectation of professionalism and accountability among federal agents and noted that while the operation had its flaws, he did not consider it a failure.
The reduction in federal personnel was attributed to cooperation from the state’s prison and jail systems, which allowed law enforcement to narrow their target list of undocumented individuals with criminal records. Homan also highlighted a reorganization aimed at improving operational efficiency and public safety through better collaboration between ICE and CBP.
Despite the drawdown, Homan reaffirmed that immigration enforcement actions would continue across the country, adhering to President Trump’s mass deportation policy. He also addressed protests against ICE operations, stating that while the right to protest is constitutionally protected, federal officers must be able to perform their duties without obstruction. Homan's visit follows recent public outcry regarding the enforcement tactics used in Minneapolis.