When agencies work together and laws are abided, progress happens. The Trump administration is able to withdraw 700 federal agents from Minnesota, according to an announcement Wednesday by White House border czar Tom Homan. The message was delivered a little more than a week after he arrived in the Twin Cities to address and reset an immigration enforcement effort.
Homan said an “unprecedented” number of counties across the state have begun notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement when individuals targeted for immigration enforcement are already in custody. That cooperation allows ICE agents to take custody of individuals inside jails rather than conducting arrests in public spaces. Homan credited Minnesota’s Democratic leadership with facilitating the shift, which he said will enable ICE to immediately scale back its presence by nearly 20 percent.
“Given this increase in unprecedented collaboration — and as a result of the need for less law enforcement officers needed to do this work, and the safer environment — I am announcing effective immediately that we will draw down 700 people,” Homan said during a press conference Wednesday morning.
He added that the administration hopes the reduction will continue if cooperation persists. “My goal is, with the support of President Trump, to achieve a complete drawdown. And end the surge as soon as we can,” Homan said. “A complete drawdown is going to depend on continued cooperation from state and local law enforcement and the decrease of the violence, the rhetoric and the attacks.”
Homan was dispatched to Minnesota last week to calm escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the state. He said he has spoken with Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other local leaders as part of the effort to begin winding down the operation, reports National Review.
“While we had our differences, one thing was clear, we all committed to public safety for all who live in the Twin Cities,” Homan said. “We have made significant progress under the direction of President Trump, working with state and local officials here in Minnesota, and I expect that to increase in the coming weeks.”
Operation Metro Surge, which began last year, has drawn sustained opposition from an organized network of anti-ICE activists who have protested, monitored agent movements, and disrupted enforcement actions. Tensions intensified following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by agents. Homan’s involvement came after Pretti was killed last month.
Separately, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that all field officers in Minneapolis will now be equipped with body cameras. She said that once additional funding is secured, the policy will be expanded to officers nationwide.