ICE Ends Minnesota Immigration Surge After 10 Weeks and Two Deaths

Federal immigration agents are leaving Minnesota after a 10-week operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area that led to more than 4,000 arrests, street protests, and the deaths of two U.S. citizens. White House border chief Tom Homan announced the end Thursday, saying the effort met its goals and agents will draw down over the next week.

Background

The operation, called Operation Metro Surge, started in early December. It brought around 2,000 to 2,300 federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol into the Twin Cities. Before the surge, the area had about 150 such officers.

Things heated up quickly. Protests broke out as agents made arrests in workplaces, neighborhoods, and near schools. Federal officers clashed with demonstrators multiple times. Two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, died in shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis. These events drew national attention and criticism.

The push came as part of President Trump's larger plan for mass deportations. It was billed as the Department of Homeland Security's biggest immigration enforcement effort ever. Agents targeted people with final removal orders and others seen as public safety risks.

Local leaders pushed back from the start. Minnesota's Democratic Governor Tim Walz and sheriffs said the influx strained jails and hurt community trust. Jails faced overcrowding because of federal detainer requests that held people past their release dates. Some counties worried about lawsuits over these holds.

Homan took charge in late January, after the second shooting. He ordered 700 officers out last week, citing better cooperation from local jails and police. Still, over 2,000 agents remained until this week's pullback.

Key Details

Homan spoke at a news conference Thursday morning. He said a big reduction in agents is already under way and will finish next week.

"Operation Metro Surge is concluding," Homan said. "Within the coming week, we will return the officers here on assignment to their original posts or other regions of the country where they are required."

He reported more than 4,000 arrests, made with help from local law enforcement. Many of those arrested had criminal records, Homan said, though not all.

"The Twin Cities and Minnesota at large are and will remain significantly safer for the communities here due to our accomplishments," he added.

A small team of agents will stay to wrap up cases and hand operations back to the local ICE office. Homan said he told agents to spread out across the state. This should let jails release inmates on time without holding them for immigration checks.

Local cooperation grew in recent weeks, Homan said. Jails agreed to hand over undocumented people for deportation. Police helped control crowds that blocked agents. Hennepin County, which runs a major jail, works with ICE but did not comment right away.

Arrests and Incidents

Agents focused on the metro area but made arrests statewide. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said Thursday that about 16,840 people in Minnesota still have final removal orders. Enforcement will continue through the local office.

The operation saw three shootings total. Good and Pretti's deaths sparked the most outrage. Reports also noted racial profiling claims, court order breaks, and poor conditions in holding cells. Protests turned violent at times, with arrests of demonstrators.

Last week, Homan praised increased teamwork. He said fewer agents were needed because locals stepped up. Minnesota officials say they cooperated all along on detainers and release notices.

What This Means

The end of the surge eases pressure on Minnesota's streets and jails. Governor Walz spoke Thursday, warning people to stay alert as agents leave.

"It's going to be a long road," Walz said. "Minnesotans are decent, caring, loving neighbors and they're also some of the toughest people you'll find. And we're in this as long as it takes."

He called the operation an assault on the state that hurt the economy and immigrant communities. Businesses lost workers. Families faced fear. Trust between residents and police took a hit.

Homan pushed back, saying the state is less of a haven for criminals now. He stressed Trump's deportation promise stands. Agents will keep working nationwide, with Minnesota's local office taking the lead here.

Activists feel some relief but want accountability. Protest leaders say officers must answer for the deaths and chaos. A recent poll shows most Americans think Trump's immigration steps have gone too far.

State lawmakers head to Washington soon to testify on the operation's effects. They plan to detail costs and community fallout. Local sheriffs may join to talk jail strains.

For now, the drawdown brings calm to tense neighborhoods. Arrests drop as agents pack up. But questions linger about those still targeted and how the state heals. Homan plans to stay in Minnesota through the transition. Enforcement goes on, just with fewer boots on the ground.

The shift marks a pause in this hotspot of the national immigration fight. Minnesota leaders say they expect no quick return to surge levels. Federal focus may turn to other cities like Chicago or Los Angeles, where past efforts faced less heat.