Did Trump just end the Minnesota immigration surge? Here's what border czar Tom Homan said

The Trump administration has announced it will wind down its sweeping immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, a mission that drew national scrutiny after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by federal agents.

The decision marks a significant shift after weeks of protests, political backlash and mounting pressure from state leaders.

White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed that President Donald Trump agreed with his recommendation to conclude the operation.


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Why is the Immigration Surge ending?

Speaking on Feb. 12, Tom Homan said he has “proposed and President Trump has concurred that this surge operation conclude.”

“A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue through the next week,” Homan added.

Homan reiterated the decision at a press conference in Minneapolis, stating, “We have greatly reduced the number of targets for enforcement action” in the Twin Cities region due to the influx of officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

"With that, and success that has been made arresting public safety threats and other priorities since this surge operation began, as well as the unprecedented levels of coordination we have obtained from state officials and local law enforcement, I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said.

The total withdrawal “will continue to the next week,” he added.

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What sparked the backlash?

The decision comes after the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in January. Good, a mother of three and poet, and Pretti, an ICU nurse who treated veterans, were killed in separate altercations involving federal agents.

Their deaths intensified criticism of the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy and triggered nationwide protests. Demonstrators followed federal agents, blew whistles and recorded their actions during operations.

The controversy also prompted changes in leadership. Trump deployed Homan to Minnesota to oversee immigration efforts, replacing Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who had become closely associated with the operation, as per a report by USA Today and CNBC.

Within days of taking over, Homan acknowledged the mission needed to be “fixed” and said enforcement would shift toward targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

“We’ve seen a big change here in the last couple of weeks,” Homan said, pointing to what he described as improved cooperation with state and local officials, as per a report by USA Today and CNBC. "All good changes," he added.


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How large was Operation Metro Surge?

Beginning in December, approximately 3,000 federal agents were deployed across Minnesota as part of “Operation Metro Surge.” The administration said the effort focused on illegal immigration and combating fraud.

Last week, Homan announced that 700 agents, roughly a 25% reduction, would withdraw from the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, leaving about 2,000 officers in place at the time. Gov. Tim Walz said he expected a full drawdown before Feb. 20, citing conversations with Homan and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, as per a report by USA Today and CNBC.

Now, the administration has confirmed the broader conclusion of the operation.


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What happens next?

The Minnesota surge also fueled tensions in Congress. Democrats vowed to withhold funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless reforms were enacted, including requiring agents to wear identification badges, remove masks and obtain judicial warrants before entering homes.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said body cameras would be distributed to every field agent nationwide, starting in Minneapolis. However, Republicans pushed back on other demands, particularly calls for agents to stop wearing masks, arguing it could expose them to doxxing. Lawmakers remain at an impasse as a Feb. 13 funding deadline approaches.

The administration’s announcement signals the end of a months-long federal immigration enforcement surge that reshaped Minnesota’s political landscape and ignited a national debate over immigration tactics.

However, the border czar underscored that the Trump administration's endeavors to deport a significant number of undocumented immigrants will persist.

“For those who say we are backing down from immigration enforcement or the promise of mass deportations, you are simply wrong,” he said, as quoted in a report by CNBC.

FAQs

Why is the Trump administration ending the Minnesota operation?
Tom Homan said he proposed concluding the surge and President Trump agreed, citing reduced enforcement targets and increased coordination with local officials.

What triggered the controversy?
The fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in January sparked nationwide protests and political backlash.