The Trump administration is scaling back the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota, following the fatal shootings of two local residents by federal officers last month, according to border czar Tom Homan. Approximately 700 federal agents will be removed from immigration operations in Minnesota, Homan announced during a press briefing. The deployment of around 3,000 federal officers in the state under Operation Metro Surge, which commenced in early December, will be reduced, with a mix of officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) being recalled.
The reduction in force comes in response to criticisms from local officials and residents who have raised concerns about the aggressive tactics of federal agents, which resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens, 37-year-old Renee Good and critical-care nurse Alex Pretti. The federal government has defended the surge as necessary to remove criminal immigrants from the streets, citing challenges posed by state and local sanctuary laws.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called for a further decrease in federal presence, stating that Operation Metro Surge does not enhance safety in the state. Democrats have been pushing for reforms to rein in the administration’s immigration enforcement operations, including demands for increased officer accountability and the necessity of judicial warrants in specific cases.
In the wake of the fatal shootings, several officials from the Trump administration attempted to justify the incidents as lawful, portraying the victims as obstructing officers in carrying out their duties. The deployment of body-worn cameras for all ICE and CBP officers on the ground was only recently announced by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to enhance transparency and accountability.
Despite efforts to de-escalate tensions, Minnesota remains on edge, with recent incidents involving federal agents drawing guns during arrests of activists. The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti, while questions linger over the handling of Renee Good’s case. The administration has also initiated investigations into Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly impeding federal immigration operations.
Amidst discontent within the Justice Department, a wave of departures has been observed in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota, reflecting internal disagreements over the handling of recent events. Despite ongoing discussions between federal officials and state authorities, the situation in Minnesota remains tense as stakeholders navigate the aftermath of the fatal encounters.
