Tom Homan, the White House's border czar, announced Thursday in Minnesota that he plans to draw down the large presence of federal immigration agents in the state. The move aims to make operations safer and stick strictly to the rules. This comes as local officials and agents adjust to new guidelines on how to handle immigration enforcement there.
Background
Federal immigration efforts ramped up in Minnesota over the past months. Thousands of ICE and CBP agents moved into the area, targeting undocumented immigrants in cities like Minneapolis. The operation drew complaints from state leaders who said it caused fear in communities and strained local resources. Protests happened outside federal buildings, and some schools saw lower attendance as parents kept kids home out of worry.
Homan arrived in Minnesota this week for his first press event there. He met with local law enforcement and spoke to reporters about the operation's progress. Before this, reports surfaced that agents received orders to tone down their approach. This included fewer raids in sensitive spots like schools and churches. The White House tasked Homan with overseeing border security nationwide, and Minnesota became a key focus due to its growing immigrant population.
The state has seen a rise in migrants from Central America and Somalia over the years. Enforcement actions picked up after federal directives to prioritize removals. But pushback from Minnesota's governor and Minneapolis mayor led to calls for a rethink. Homan's visit addressed those concerns head-on.
Key Details
Homan laid out the changes during a press conference in Minneapolis. He said the drawdown would happen if local officials cooperate more. Agents would shift to targeted arrests instead of broad sweeps. This means fewer people on the streets and more focus on serious cases like criminals with deportation orders.
Operations Shift
Current numbers show over 1,000 federal agents active in Minnesota. Homan plans to cut that by half in the coming weeks. CBP teams at airports and borders will stay, but ICE street teams will shrink. New rules require warrants for most home entries and limit actions near places of worship.
Local police say they got briefings on the changes. Some welcomed the pullback, citing overtime costs. Others worry it sends a mixed message on enforcement. Homan stressed that the goal is steady, legal work without backlash.
"We're going to draw down the force if the locals step up. It will be safer, by the book, and effective." – Tom Homan, White House border czar
Details on timelines remain vague. Homan said decisions depend on weekly reviews. Agents already started pulling back from some neighborhoods after early incidents.
What This Means
For Minnesota residents, daily life could calm down. Neighborhoods with heavy patrols may see less activity, easing tensions in immigrant areas. Businesses that faced worker shortages from arrests might stabilize. Schools and community centers expect attendance to rebound.
On the enforcement side, the shift prioritizes high-risk targets. This includes gang members and those with felony records. Homan said removals will continue, just with smaller teams. Deportation flights from local airports are set to keep running, though at reduced volume.
State leaders view it as a win after months of talks with Washington. The governor's office issued a statement supporting safer methods. But national groups watch closely, fearing it weakens overall border control. Other states with similar operations, like Texas and California, may see copycat changes.
Immigration advocates plan to monitor compliance. They want proof that families stay together and kids aren't scared. Federal budgets for these ops face scrutiny too, with calls to redirect funds to border walls.
Law enforcement unions expressed mixed feelings. Some agents feel the drawdown limits their work. Others appreciate clearer rules that cut legal risks. Training sessions rolled out this week to teach the new tactics.
The White House frames this as smart management, not retreat. Homan's role expands to other cities soon. Minnesota serves as a test case for balancing enforcement with community peace. Local economies tied to agriculture and services, which rely on immigrant labor, stand to benefit from less disruption.
Federal data shows Minnesota deported over 5,000 people last year. Projections for this year dropped after the pullback news. Court backlogs mean many cases drag on regardless. Judges in the region handle overflow from bigger ops elsewhere.
Residents report varied views. Some in rural areas call for tougher measures. Urban voices push for paths to legal status. Homan's plan tries to thread that needle, focusing resources where they hit hardest.
As agents pack up gear, questions linger on long-term setup. Will Minnesota stay a priority, or shift south? Homan hinted at rotations, keeping some presence permanent. Local partnerships could grow, with state troopers filling gaps.
