US border chief declares the conclusion of a federal operation with 700 immigration brokers set to depart Minnesota.
Printed On 12 Feb 2026
Tom Homan, the US border safety chief, says that the immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to mass detentions, protests and two deaths is coming to an finish.
“On account of our efforts right here, Minnesota is now much less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” Homan mentioned at a information convention on Thursday.
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“I’ve proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” he continued.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Metro Surge on December 1. Homan added that ICE operations would proceed as they did earlier than the operation started.
“Via focused enforcement operations based mostly on affordable suspicion, and prioritising security and safety, ICE will proceed to determine, arrest, and take away unlawful aliens who pose a danger to public security, as we’ve finished for years,” he mentioned.
Federal authorities say the sweeps centered on the Minneapolis-St Paul metro space have led to the arrest of greater than 4,000 individuals. Whereas the Trump administration has known as these arrested “harmful legal unlawful aliens,” many individuals with no legal data, together with youngsters and US residents, have additionally been detained.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz mentioned Tuesday that he anticipated Operation Metro Surge to finish in “days, not weeks and months,” based mostly on his conversations with senior Trump administration officers. He instructed reporters he spoke this week with each Homan and White Home chief of employees Susie Wiles.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey additionally mentioned he had a “optimistic assembly” with Homan on Monday and mentioned the potential for an extra drawdown of federal officers.
Homan took over the Minnesota operation in late January after the second deadly capturing by federal immigration brokers and amid rising political backlash and questions on how the operation was being run.
“We’re very a lot in a belief however confirm mode,” Walz mentioned, including that he anticipated to listen to extra from the administration “within the subsequent day or so” about the way forward for what he mentioned has been an “occupation” and a “retribution marketing campaign” in opposition to the state.
Officers with the Division of Homeland Safety didn’t reply to a request for touch upon the governor’s remarks.
Walz mentioned he had no cause to not imagine Homan’s assertion final week that 700 federal officers would leave Minnesota immediately, however the governor added that that also left 2,300 on Minnesota’s streets.
Homan on the time cited an “improve in unprecedented collaboration” ensuing within the want for fewer federal officers in Minnesota, together with assist from jails that maintain deportable inmates.
