Tom Homan announces end of ‘Operation Metro Surge’ in Minnesota

US border chief announces the conclusion of a federal operation with 700 immigration agents set to leave Minnesota.Published On 12 Feb 2026Tom Homan, the US border security chief, says that the immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to mass detentions, protests and two deaths is coming to an end.“As a result of our efforts here, Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” Homan said at a news conference on Thursday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US border security chief withdrawing 700 immigration agents from Minnesotalist 2 of 3Democrats demand reforms to Homeland Security over immigration operationslist 3 of 3‘Nothing retaliatory’: US seeks deportation of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramosend of list“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” he continued.US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Metro Surge on December 1. Homan added that ICE operations would continue as they did before the operation began.“Through targeted enforcement operations based on reasonable suspicion, and prioritising safety and security, ICE will continue to identify, arrest, and remove illegal aliens who pose a risk to public safety, as we’ve done for years,” he said.Federal authorities say the sweeps focused on the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area have led to the arrest of more than 4,000 people. While the Trump administration has called those arrested “dangerous criminal illegal aliens,” many people with no criminal records, including children and US citizens, have also been detained.Democratic Governor Tim Walz said Tuesday that he expected Operation Metro Surge to end in “days, not weeks and months,” based on his conversations with senior Trump administration officials. He told reporters he spoke this week with both Homan and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also said he had a “positive meeting” with Homan on Monday and discussed the potential for a further drawdown of federal officers.