Trump’s border tsar Homan says ‘small’ security force will remain in Minnesota

US Border Tsar Tom Homan announced that an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is ending, following President Donald Trump's approval of his request to conclude the operation. The surge, which brought over 2,000 immigration officers to the state, was sparked by local officials' cooperation with federal authorities. Nationwide protests were held after two US citizens were killed by federal agents during the operation. Homan stated that Minnesota has become "less of a sanctuary state" since local officials have cooperated more with federal immigration officers. The operation resulted in the arrest of several undocumented immigrants, including those convicted of serious crimes. A small team of personnel will remain to close out and transition command and control back to the field office.

US border security chief Tom Homan announced the end of "Operation Metro Surge" in Minnesota, effective February 12, 2026. The operation, launched by ICE on December 1, involved 700 immigration agents and focused on the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area. According to federal authorities, the operation led to over 4,000 arrests, although many detainees had no criminal records. Homan stated that the operation made Minnesota "less of a sanctuary state" and that ICE will continue targeted enforcement operations. Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey both indicated they had discussed the operation's conclusion with federal officials.

Federal authorities, led by border czar Tom Homan, announced the end of an immigration crackdown in Minnesota on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The operation, which focused on the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, resulted in over 4,000 arrests and was described as the Department of Homeland Security's largest immigration enforcement operation ever. The crackdown sparked mass detentions, protests, and the deaths of two U.S. citizens, becoming a point of contention in the debate over President Trump's deportation policies. Homan defended the operation as making Minnesota safer and less of a sanctuary for criminals, while also pledging that immigration enforcement efforts would continue despite the end of the Minnesota operation.

Operation Metro Surge, an immigration crackdown in Minnesota that began in December, is ending, according to border tsar Tom Homan. The operation, focused on the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, led to over 4,000 arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While the Trump administration claimed those arrested were dangerous criminals, reports indicate that individuals with no criminal records, including children and US citizens, were also detained. Governor Tim Walz stated he expected the operation to end soon based on discussions with Trump administration officials. Homan asserted that the surge made Minneapolis safer and less of a sanctuary for criminals.

Following the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by ICE agents in Minneapolis, President Trump is sending his border tsar, Tom Homan, to Minnesota. Trump announced Homan's deployment on Monday, stating he will report directly to him and manage ICE operations in the state. The move comes after public outcry over the shootings. Trump indicated his administration is reviewing the recent incident and suggested a potential withdrawal of immigration enforcement officials from the Minneapolis area at some point in the future, though he provided no specific timeline. The decision follows increased scrutiny of ICE operations in Minneapolis.

Following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers in Minnesota, President Trump stated his administration would "de-escalate" its presence in the state. This shooting, along with the earlier death of Renee Good in January, sparked protests and criticism from lawmakers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) removed Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino from the Minnesota mission and deployed Tom Homan to meet with local officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey. Trump called Pretti's death "unfortunate" and commented on Pretti carrying a gun, while DHS claimed agents acted in self-defense after Pretti resisted disarming, a claim disputed by eyewitnesses. Pretti's death intensified calls for the withdrawal of 3,000 immigration agents from the region.

In January 2026, White House "Border Czar" Tom Homan announced a change in immigration enforcement tactics for Minnesota. Federal immigration agents will now conduct targeted operations instead of broad, sweeping actions. This shift in strategy comes as Homan replaces Gregory Bovino as the head of operations in the state. Bovino, previously described as a "commander at large," is being replaced to implement the new, more focused approach to immigration enforcement in Minnesota. The reason for the change was not explicitly stated in the announcement.

A judge is set to hear a case regarding Minnesota's "Operation Metro Surge," an ICE crackdown initiated last month. The lawsuit aims to reduce the number of ICE agents to pre-surge levels. This follows the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents, prompting increased scrutiny of federal immigration tactics in Minnesota. Republican Congressman Andrew Garbarino, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, is seeking testimony from leaders at ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The investigation is driven by concerns about the Trump administration's account of events and a focus on American safety.

A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear in court on Friday to explain the agency's handling of bond hearings for detained immigrants. Chief Judge Patrick J Schiltz issued the order due to concerns over the agency's preparedness for the legal challenges arising from increased immigration detentions in the state. The order follows President Trump's deployment of additional agents to Minnesota as part of an immigration crackdown, prompted by protests and recent incidents involving immigration law enforcement. Tom Homan has been appointed to oversee the operation, replacing Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. The White House had initially blamed Democratic leaders for the protests.

A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear in court on Friday to explain why he shouldn't be held in contempt. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz issued the order after claiming the Trump administration failed to comply with previous orders to hold hearings for detained immigrants. Schiltz criticized the administration's handling of bond hearings for detained immigrants in Minnesota. He stated the court had been patient despite the administration sending agents to detain immigrants without adequate provisions for the resulting legal challenges. The judge's order follows President Trump's actions regarding immigration enforcement.

In January 2026, President Trump announced plans to "de-escalate" the crisis in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of two citizens, including ICU nurse Alex Pretti, by Border Patrol agents. The shootings occurred amidst a federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, sparking protests and a standoff between state and federal officials. Pretti was filming officers when he was shot; he was also a licensed gun owner. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees ICE and CBP, is facing criticism and calls for her resignation over her response, including accusing Pretti of "domestic terrorism." Despite the controversy, Trump expressed confidence in Noem. The administration's actions in Minnesota have drawn widespread condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.

During a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar was attacked with an unknown liquid sprayed from a syringe by an audience member. Omar was unharmed and continued the meeting after the assailant was arrested. The liquid had an acrid, sour smell, described by some as similar to a chemical product. The attacker claimed Omar was "pitting us against each other" as he was escorted from the room. The town hall, attended by about 100 people, focused on the presence of federal immigration officials in the area following two recent fatal shootings of American citizens by immigration officers, during which Omar called for the abolishment of ICE.

Following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man, Alex Pretti, by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis on Saturday, protests erupted, demanding the removal of immigration agents from the city. The shooting occurred during what is described as an immigration crackdown. According to a Border Patrol commander, the agent fired "defensive shots" after Pretti, allegedly armed with a handgun, approached agents and resisted their attempts to disarm him. The incident has heightened tensions in Minneapolis, already strained by a previous fatal shooting. Senator Amy Klobuchar has called for ICE to leave Minnesota. Protesters gathered at the site, leading to confrontations with law enforcement, who deployed tear gas and pepper spray.

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse, was fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Saturday during a protest. Videos circulating online show Pretti being wrestled to the ground by multiple law enforcement officers before shots were fired. According to one video, the incident occurred after Pretti appeared to defend an observer who was shoved by an officer. Authorities claim the agent fired "defensive shots" amidst a crowd of people they characterized as "rioters." Pretti, described as a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, had a record only of traffic tickets. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Pretti's death at the scene. This is the second fatal shooting in Minneapolis this month involving federal agents.

On Saturday, January 24, 2026, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and US citizen died after being shot by federal agents. The shooting occurred amid increased immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, part of President Trump's anti-immigration push. According to the Department of Homeland Security, a US Border Patrol agent shot the man, who allegedly had a handgun and resisted disarming. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara called for federal agencies to operate with discipline and integrity. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz demanded the President end the operation and remove federal officers from the state. This incident follows a previous shooting earlier in the month where an ICE officer killed a woman in Minneapolis.

A 37-year-old Minneapolis man, believed to be a U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis. According to Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, the incident occurred when officers attempted to disarm the man, who reportedly "violently resisted." The shooting prompted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to contact the White House. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the identity of the federal agent involved have not been released. Further details regarding the incident are expected to be released as the investigation unfolds.

On Saturday in Minneapolis, federal immigration officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man, prompting protests in a city already dealing with tensions from a previous fatal shooting. The incident occurred amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, according to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Details of the shooting remain unclear, but the Department of Homeland Security stated the individual possessed a firearm with two magazines. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara urged peaceful demonstrations, acknowledging public anger and unanswered questions while cautioning against violence and property damage. Authorities have released limited information as the situation continues to unfold.

Thousands of protesters marched in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, braving sub-zero temperatures to protest President Trump's immigration policies and demand ICE leave the city. Organizers estimated 50,000 participants, though this number was not independently verified. The "ICE OUT!" protest included a general strike, with numerous Minnesota businesses closing for the day. The demonstration followed weeks of confrontations between ICE agents and protesters. The protest occurred a day after Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis to support ICE, while dozens of clergy were arrested at the airport for protesting the presence of 3,000 federal law enforcement officers and seeking accountability for the ICE agent who killed Renee Good.

A "Day of Truth & Freedom" protest, characterized by a call for economic blackout ("no work, no school, no shopping"), was launched in Minnesota on Friday by community leaders, faith leaders, and labor unions. The protest is in response to an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state. Organizers are demanding that ICE leave Minnesota and that the agency be investigated for alleged constitutional violations. The protest was also spurred by the recent killing of Renee Good, an unarmed woman who was shot by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis earlier this month. The aim of the economic blackout is to disrupt normal activity and draw attention to the organizers' demands.