Minneapolis/Washington: The Trump administration has announced the immediate withdrawal of 700 federal immigration enforcement officers from Minnesota following deadly encounters between federal agents and protesters.
US Border Czar Tom Homan said that the drawdown would begin at once and involve agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol who were deployed under ‘Operation Metro Surge’.
Despite the reduction, about 2,000 federal immigration personnel will remain in the state, far above the 150 officers stationed there before the operation expanded in December.
Homan said the decision was driven by improved cooperation from state and local authorities, particularly in Minneapolis, which has been at the centre of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement push. He said federal agencies are now relying more on taking custody of suspects directly from local jails, rather than making arrests in public spaces.
⚠️ IF YOU ARE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY: IF WE FIND YOU, WE WILL DEPORT YOU. ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/c6hmFJ9jmV
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 4, 2026
“I will stay in Minneapolis until the operation is complete,” Homan said, adding that the federal presence would continue to be scaled back if cooperation remains strong. He said his long-term goal is to return staffing levels to where they were before the surge began.
The announcement comes after weeks of public anger over two deadly encounters involving federal agents. Last month, Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was shot and killed while attempting to drive away during an ICE enforcement action. Days later, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was beaten and fatally shot by federal agents in a separate incident. Both were US citizens, and the cases drew sharp criticism from civil rights groups, local leaders, and international observers.
.@RealTomHoman in Minnesota: “We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens BEFORE they hit the streets.”pic.twitter.com/Ec7pQaiMWk
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 4, 2026
The controversy also led President Trump to remove Customs and Border Protection commander Gregory Bovino and place Homan in charge of the Minnesota operation. Homan had pledged to reduce the federal footprint once enforcement tactics were revised and coordination with local authorities improved.
At a news conference, Homan defended the operation, calling it a success despite court challenges and the deaths. Federal agents had arrested individuals charged with serious crimes, including homicide, assault, sexual offences, and gang-related activity.
Homan also said the government is prioritising the rollout of body-worn cameras for all federal officers operating in Minneapolis, with plans to expand their use nationwide.
