Thursday, February 5, 2026-The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy in Minnesota has shifted as White House border czar Tom Homan announced that about 700 federal immigration agents will be withdrawn from Minneapolis and the Twin Cities area effective immediately.
The reduction includes officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and related federal law enforcement agencies and follows weeks of heightened tensions between federal operatives and the local community. According to Homan, the drawdown stems from what he described as “unprecedented cooperation” from state and local authorities, which has reduced the need for such a large federal presence on the ground.
Despite this pullback, Homan made clear that around 2,000 federal officers will remain in Minnesota, a deployment still far above the typical footprint in the state before the start of the operation. The initial surge of roughly 3,000 officers was part of Operation Metro Surge, launched in response to alleged welfare fraud and broader immigration enforcement priorities.
The operation drew fierce backlash after confrontations between federal agents and residents, including the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens during enforcement actions, sparking widespread protests and criticism from Minnesota officials.
Homan emphasized that the reduction in personnel does not signal a retreat from the administration’s immigration goals and that enforcement activities will continue in a more targeted way.
He tied the drawdown to increased cooperation from local jails that now notify ICE about individuals eligible for federal custody, which officials say improves safety and effectiveness. Homan also noted that a broader and complete withdrawal of federal officers would depend on sustained collaboration from state and local law enforcement and a reduction in violent confrontations and interference with federal operations.
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