The Trump administration is winding down a major immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that sparked widespread arrests, violent clashes, and the deaths of two U.S. citizens over the past two months, according to border czar Tom Homan.
Dubbed the Department of Homeland Security’s “largest immigration enforcement operation ever,” the effort targeted the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and resulted in over 4,000 arrests. Homan hailed it as a success, stating it has made Minnesota “safer” and reduced its status as a “sanctuary state for criminals.”
The decision represents a notable pullback from an initiative that has drawn intense scrutiny and become a political liability for the administration, especially after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis. It coincides with a recent AP-NORC poll indicating that a majority of Americans believe Trump’s immigration policies have overreached.
Despite the retreat, Homan emphasized that nationwide immigration enforcement will continue unabated. “President Trump promised mass deportation, and that’s what this country is going to get,” he said.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz welcomed the news, noting he anticipated the end of “Operation Metro Surge”—which began in December—within days based on talks with Trump officials. “The long road to recovery starts now,” Walz shared on social media, highlighting the lasting effects on the state’s economy, schools, and residents.
Activists expressed cautious relief but demanded accountability for the operation’s fallout. Lisa Erbes of Indivisible Twin Cities pointed out that “people have died [and] families have been torn apart,” urging that the “pain and suffering” inflicted on Minnesotans not be forgotten.
While the administration described those arrested as “dangerous criminal illegal aliens,” reports indicate many detainees had no criminal records, including children and U.S. citizens.
Last week, Homan announced the immediate withdrawal of 700 federal officers, leaving over 2,000 still in the state at the time. He cited improved local cooperation, such as from jails holding deportable inmates, as a factor in scaling back. Homan plans to remain in Minnesota to oversee the ongoing drawdown, which has already begun and will extend into next week.
He noted that street protests have diminished in recent weeks, attributing this to better collaboration with local leaders. At its peak, the surge faced strong opposition from residents angered by aggressive tactics from heavily armed officers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the community’s resilience on social media: “They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation. These patriots of Minneapolis are showing that it’s not just about resistance—standing with our neighbors is deeply American.”
Homan assumed leadership of the operation in late January following the second fatal shooting, amid escalating backlash and concerns over its management. Walz described the effort as an “occupation” and a “retribution campaign” against the state, adding that Minnesota remains in a “trust but verify” stance with the administration.
