Agents in Minneapolis could be pulled back if local officials cooperate, border tsar says

Following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, the Trump administration is considering reducing its presence in the city if local officials cooperate with federal authorities. White House Border Tsar Tom Homan stated the immigration enforcement operation would continue, but in a more "targeted" manner. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have sparked protests and criticism, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, calling for a complete withdrawal of federal agents. The state has also requested a federal judge halt "Operation Metro Surge," involving approximately 3,000 DHS officers. The administration has criticized Minneapolis' "sanctuary city policy" and demands more cooperation from state and local officials, though specific demands remain unclear.

Following public outrage over the death of a US citizen protesting immigration raids in Minneapolis, President Trump is softening his administration's tone on immigration enforcement. Trump dispatched Tom Homan, his border security advisor, to Minneapolis to report directly to him. This move comes after polls indicated widespread disapproval of ICE's tactics. Trump also described a "very good" conversation with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, signaling a shift from previous accusations of corruption. The administration's actions suggest an attempt to mitigate political damage resulting from the controversial immigration crackdown.

White House border czar Tom Homan stated in Minneapolis on Thursday, January 29, 2026, that a reduction in immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota is possible, but only with cooperation from state officials. Homan's visit followed the fatal shooting of a protester by a federal immigration officer. He emphasized the need for local jails to notify ICE about individuals in their custody who are subject to deportation, arguing that transferring immigrants to ICE within the jail setting is safer and reduces the need for street operations. Homan also expressed "zero tolerance" for protesters who assault officers or impede their work. He indicated a potential shift towards "targeted operations" focused on apprehending immigrants with criminal records.

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.

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 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.

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.

The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers in Alaska to prepare for potential deployment to Minnesota amid escalating tensions over the government's immigration enforcement. The possible deployment follows increased protests in Minneapolis after the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE officer on January 7th. Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy the military if protests impeding immigration officials are not stopped. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has criticized the potential deployment as unnecessary and inflammatory, stating the city is safe and does not need additional federal agents. The Trump administration has already sent 3,000 immigration and border patrol officers to the city.

The Pentagon has ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska to prepare for potential deployment to Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. This follows ongoing protests against federal immigration raids conducted by roughly 3,000 ICE agents in the area. The protests were sparked by the death of a Minneapolis resident and mother, Renee Nicole Good. The Department of Homeland Security reported that a federal officer shot a Venezuelan man in the leg during the raids, and ICE stated that a Nicaraguan man died in their custody after being arrested in Minneapolis. The military is reportedly prepared to execute orders from the Commander-in-Chief if called upon.

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.

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.

Christian leaders are advocating for the protection of worshippers' rights after a group of protesters disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota. The incident occurred at Cities Church, a Southern Baptist church, during a Sunday service. Approximately three dozen protesters entered the church, chanting slogans like "ICE out" and referencing a woman fatally shot by an ICE officer. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the disruption, which targeted the church due to one of its pastors being an official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The protesters were demonstrating against immigration enforcement policies.

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.

The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers in Alaska to prepare for potential deployment to Minnesota amid escalating protests against the government's deportation drive. The order comes after President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces if protests targeting immigration officials are not stopped. Tensions have risen in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a civilian by an ICE officer on January 7th. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that deploying the military would worsen the situation, as the city already has 3,000 federal immigration and Border Patrol officers dealing with the protests. It remains unclear whether the troops will actually be deployed.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, in January 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents increased arrests, leading to clashes with protesters. These events occurred days after an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good. In response to a planned surge of immigration agents in the state, Minnesota officials filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit aims to block the deployment, with state officials claiming it is unlawful. The legal action and protests highlight escalating tensions between the state and federal government regarding immigration enforcement.

An ICE agent shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis, prompting protests and calls for ICE to leave the city. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the agent was pursuing the man, who was allegedly in the US illegally, when an altercation occurred. The DHS claims the agent fired in self-defense after being "attacked" by the man and two others, who are now in custody. The FBI is investigating the incident. This shooting follows the recent death of a woman shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week, which is also under FBI investigation. Minneapolis city officials and the mayor have condemned the shootings and the presence of ICE in the city, accusing them of creating chaos.

In January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Minnesota with a "day of reckoning and retribution" following ongoing protests over the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The statement followed Trump's promise to send hundreds more ICE agents to the city, despite criticism from state and local leaders who view the increased federal presence as a dangerous escalation. Trump accused his predecessor, Joe Biden, of having a "HORRIBLE Open Border’s Policy" and claimed ICE agents were simply removing dangerous individuals. Minnesota's Attorney General and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have filed a lawsuit alleging the ICE surge violates residents' freedom of speech and the state's constitutional rights. A federal judge was scheduled to hear arguments in the case on Tuesday.

A U.S. federal judge in Minnesota issued an injunction on January 17, 2026, curbing the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents against protesters and observers in Minneapolis. The order follows rising tensions and the fatal shooting of a local activist by an ICE agent earlier in the month. The injunction prohibits agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters, including arresting or detaining individuals without reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. It also bans the use of crowd-control munitions like pepper spray and tear gas against peaceful demonstrators or bystanders observing ICE operations. The Department of Homeland Security has 72 hours to comply with the ruling, which is seen as a victory for local activists protesting the deployment of 2,000 immigration agents to the area by the Trump administration.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security on Monday, seeking to end the increased presence of ICE agents in the state. The lawsuit follows the fatal shooting of a Minnesota resident by an ICE agent last week, which sparked protests. Ellison claims the ICE agents are poorly trained, making unconstitutional arrests, and using excessive force, leading to safety concerns and business closures. He also alleges that local police have had to intervene in multiple instances of ICE agents' apparent abductions of Minneapolis residents. Ellison suggested the Trump administration is targeting Minnesota due to political bias.

A federal judge in Minnesota ruled that federal officers involved in a large immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis area cannot detain or use tear gas against peaceful protesters. The ruling, issued Friday by U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez, stems from a case filed in December on behalf of six Minnesota activists who monitor immigration enforcement activities. The lawsuit alleges that the federal agents were obstructing the activists' ability to observe and document their work. The judge's order specifically prohibits the officers from detaining or using tear gas against protesters who are not obstructing authorities, including those observing the agents' actions. The ruling comes after incidents in January 2026 where tear gas was deployed during confrontations between federal immigration officers and protesters outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis.

Federal agents in Minneapolis used tear gas and eye irritants against protesters on Tuesday amid rising tensions over immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its "largest operation in DHS history," deploying hundreds of Customs and Border Protection agents to supplement the existing Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence, totaling approximately 2,800 agents. This surge coincided with the resignation of several federal prosecutors protesting the Justice Department's decision not to investigate the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. Minnesota and two mayors are seeking a court order to suspend the operation. A judge is also considering restricting the use of force by agents against those observing and recording their activities, with a ruling expected soon. Students in Brooklyn Park and other communities walked out of school to protest the immigration enforcement operation.