Minnesota’s recent shifts in ICE operations center on a planned drawdown of federal agents—contingent on cooperation from state and local officials—following months of public pressure, protests, and two fatal shootings tied to Operation Metro Surge.
Key Changes to ICE Operations in Minnesota
1. Leadership Shift & Strategy Reset
- White House Border Czar Tom Homan has taken over ICE and CBP operations in Minnesota, replacing Greg Bovino.
- Homan publicly acknowledged that the operation has not been “perfect” and emphasized internal changes to make enforcement “safer” and “more efficient.”
2. Planned Drawdown of Federal Agents
- The federal government is working on a plan to reduce the roughly 3,000 federal agents deployed under Operation Metro Surge.
- The drawdown depends on cooperation from Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and local law enforcement—particularly around access to individuals in state prisons and county jails.
3. Shift in Enforcement Priorities
- Homan stated the administration will prioritize:
- Undocumented immigrants with criminal records
- Individuals posing public safety threats
- However, collateral arrests may still continue, meaning non-targeted undocumented immigrants could still be detained.
4. Local Leaders Push for Full End to Operation Metro Surge
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reiterated that any drawdown is positive but insufficient, insisting the operation must end entirely.
- State and city officials continue to demand accountability following the deaths of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti.
5. Community Impact Remains High
- Despite leadership changes, on-the-ground activity has not significantly decreased, according to local officials and observers.
- Schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul report thousands of students attending virtually due to fear in immigrant communities.
6. Legal and Oversight Actions
- Ramsey County Attorney John Choi announced new protocols for investigating alleged criminal conduct by federal agents, including deadly force and felonious behavior.
- These protocols aim to ensure independent review and accountability for federal law enforcement actions.
DAVFLY 