Federal agents are being pulled out of Minneapolis and the Trump administration’s crackdown in the state is coming to an end after several weeks of raids and enhanced activities that put the city on edge.
White House border czar Tom Homan announced Operation Metro Surge would wind down on Thursday, ending a monthslong saga that brought mass detentions, protests and the deaths of two protesters.
“As a result of our efforts here Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” Homan said at a news conference. “I have proposed and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude.”
Immigration agents will have more access to undocumented immigrants being held in county jails in Minnesota after Homan said he had productive conversations with state officials.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement started the operation on Dec. 1. Federal authorities said more than 4,000 people were arrested during the operation.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he was "cautiously optimistic" that the operation was coming to an end and described it as “an unprecedented federal invasion in all aspects of life." Speaking at a press conference after Homan's announcement, Walz said the federal government needed to be held responsible for the damages it had caused the state.
“They left us with deep damage, generational trauma,” he said. “They left us with economic ruin in some cases.”
Walz had said on Tuesday that he expected the federal immigration crackdown to end in “days, not weeks and months” after he spoke with Homan and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also said he had a “positive meeting” with Homan on Monday and went over the potential for a further drawdown.
Homan already announced 700 federal officers would be leaving Minnesota last week, leaving more than 2,000 in the state who will now begin to leave. He said he will stay in Minnesota to oversee the drawdown. A "small footprint of personnel" will also remain to transition operations back to the ICE field office and ensure "agitator activity" continues to decline.
He took over the Minnesota operation late last month in the chaotic aftermath of the second fatal shooting by federal immigration agents that spurred intense political backlash over the operation and raised questions about how it was being run. Immigration agents' actions are at the center of a government funding debate in Congress where Democrats are pressing Republicans and the White House for changes to policy to keep the Department of Homeland Security funded.
Democratic Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said in a statement that Congress must “deliver accountability” even with the operation coming to a close.
“We showed them exactly how to stand up to bullies with strength, dignity and peace,” Smith said. “But this drawdown won’t make torn apart families whole again. It won’t replenish the tens of millions of dollars small businesses lost. It won’t de-traumatize our kids. It won’t bring back Alex or Renee." Alex Pretti and Renee Good were both killed by immigration agents.
The surge of federal resources to Minnesota was met by its leader and many of its residents with fierce opposition. Protests spread across Minneapolis with people blowing whistles to warn others immigration agents were in the area, barriers being created to block off streets and clashes between law enforcement and protesters.
“They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation,” Frey said on social media. “These patriots of Minneapolis are showing that it’s not just about resistance — standing with our neighbors is deeply American.”
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