Trump to end Minnesota deportation surge

President Donald Trump’s border policy chief, Tom Homan, announced on Thursday that the federal government is significantly reducing

WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters): President Donald Trump’s border policy chief, Tom Homan, announced on Thursday that the federal government is significantly reducing its immigration enforcement presence in Minnesota, signaling the end of a large-scale operation launched earlier this year.

The operation, known as “Operation Metro Surge,” began in late January and involved the deployment of approximately 3,000 armed immigration officers to Minnesota, primarily focusing on deportation efforts. According to Homan, he recommended concluding the surge, and President Trump agreed with the proposal.Speaking at a press conference, Homan confirmed that the operation would soon wind down. He had already revealed last week that around 700 agents would be pulled out. On Thursday, he added that many of the remaining officers who had been sent from other states would return home in the coming days. He cited what he described as “unprecedented” cooperation with Minnesota’s local law enforcement agencies as one of the reasons for scaling back the operation. Prior to the surge, the state had roughly 150 immigration enforcement officers.The intensified enforcement effort sparked widespread unrest, particularly in Minneapolis, Minnesota’s largest city. Demonstrations erupted as residents took to the streets to oppose the presence of federal agents, many of whom wore masks and military-style uniforms. Protesters used whistles and other methods to draw attention to the operations and voice their opposition.

Tensions escalated further after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by immigration officers during separate incidents in January. Both individuals had reportedly gone out to observe or protest the enforcement actions when the shootings occurred. The incidents intensified criticism of the operation and fueled public anger.Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, has been a vocal opponent of the deportation campaign. Along with other state leaders, he strongly condemned the surge. His office did not immediately comment following the latest announcement about the drawdown.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also criticized the federal deployment. Last month, Frey joined Governor Walz in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking a court order to halt the surge. In a statement responding to Homan’s remarks, Frey described the operation as deeply damaging to the community. He said the city’s resilience and solidarity had prevailed despite what he characterized as an overwhelming federal presence.Meanwhile, the chief federal judge in Minnesota has rebuked officials from the Trump administration, accusing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of failing to comply with multiple court orders requiring the release of migrants who were wrongfully detained.

Criticism has not been limited to Democrats. Some Republican lawmakers have also expressed concern over how the deportation effort was executed and how authorities handled the fatal shootings of two Americans, identified as Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

The decision to scale back the operation marks a significant shift in the administration’s enforcement strategy in Minnesota.