The Trump administration has announced the immediate withdrawal of around 700 federal immigration enforcement agents from Minnesota though approximately 2,000 officers will remain deployed in the state, White House border czar Tom Homan said on Wednesday.
The move comes amid mounting protests and political backlash following an unprecedented immigration enforcement surge in and around Minneapolis earlier this year.Thousands of armed federal agents were deployed as part of Operation Metro Surge described by officials as the largest immigration operation in US history. The operation sparked nationwide demonstrations and intensified tensions after immigration agents fatally shot two US citizens during enforcement actions.
Homan said the partial drawdown was prompted by what he described as unprecedented cooperation from Minnesota sheriffs who manage county jails.He emphasized however that the reduction did not signal a change in policy reiterating that President Donald Trump remains committed to mass deportations nationwide.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz and other state leaders have repeatedly condemned the operation arguing the federal presence far exceeded normal levels and undermined public safety. Minnesota has since filed a lawsuit against the federal government over the deployment.
Despite the reduction Homan said immigration enforcement would continue daily across the country, adding that the administration ultimately aims to return Minnesota’s federal immigration presence to its usual level of about 150 agents, though no timeline was provided.
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