Friday, February 13, 2026-Federal immigration enforcement authorities are withdrawing their large‑scale operation from the Minneapolis‑St. Paul area after weeks of mounting controversy and public backlash. Border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday that Operation Metro Surge — the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign that deployed thousands of ICE and Customs agents — will be drawn down and concluded in the coming days. The decision follows intense criticism over tactics used during the surge, including protests across Minnesota and the deaths of two U.S. citizens during federal enforcement actions.
Homan framed the conclusion of the operation as a success, noting more than 4,000 arrests and increased cooperation with local law enforcement as reasons for the drawdown. He said that federal agents will return to their home stations or be reassigned elsewhere, though a reduced federal presence will remain temporarily to support transition efforts and targeted enforcement. Despite the announcement, Minnesota political leaders and community advocates have emphasized that daily operations and local tensions may persist even as the surge winds down.
The drawdown of federal officers has been welcomed cautiously by state officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who pointed to the deep impact the operation had on communities and local trust. However, uncertainty remains about how immigration enforcement will proceed in the region once the surge officially ends, with both political leaders and residents watching closely. The ending of the surge marks a significant shift in federal policy enforcement in Minnesota amid broader national debates over immigration strategies and public safety.
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