Federal Officers’ Presence in Minnesota Tied to Local Cooperation
MINNEAPOLIS — A potential reduction in the number of federal immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota hinges on cooperation from state and local authorities, according to Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border czar. “I have zero tolerance for protesters who assault federal officers or interfere with the ongoing Twin Cities operation,” Homan stated Thursday.
Homan’s remarks came after his deployment to Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti, marking the second such incident in the month involving federal officers. The Trump administration has ended its “enhanced operations” in Maine, while President Donald Trump expressed a willingness to ease tensions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
Despite acknowledging that not everything has been perfect in the operations, Homan made it clear that the administration remains steadfast in its immigration enforcement efforts. He warned of repercussions for protesters obstructing federal officers.
Possibility of Reducing Federal Presence
Homan indicated that a withdrawal of some 3,000 federal officers could occur, contingent on collaboration from state and local leaders and a decrease in protester disruptions. He also suggested internal changes within federal immigration enforcement, though details were sparse.
“The drawdown is going to happen based on these agreements,” Homan explained. “But the drawdown can happen even more if the hateful rhetoric and the impediment and interference will stop.” He emphasized the need for jails to notify ICE about inmates subject to deportation, arguing that transferring such individuals to ICE custody is safer than officers searching for them in the community.
The White House attributes difficulties in arresting criminal immigrants to sanctuary jurisdictions, which limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Homan reiterated this stance: “Give us access to illegal aliens, public safety threats in the safety and security of a jail.”
Local Response and Protester Sentiment
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed hope regarding a decrease in federal officer numbers, stating that local police would perform their duties but not those of federal agencies. Despite President Trump’s softened rhetoric about Minnesota officials, visible changes to the operation remain unseen.
Protesters continue to gather despite the cold, demonstrating against the federal facility serving as the operation’s hub. Pretti, 37, was fatally shot during a scuffle with the Border Patrol, while Renee Good, also 37, was shot in her vehicle by an ICE officer earlier in the month.
Homan’s arrival follows the departure of the Trump administration’s former leader of the operation, Greg Bovino. The focus shifts to “targeted operations” aimed at apprehending immigrants with criminal records, prioritizing public safety threats. However, concerns remain about whether this approach will reduce tensions.
Sameera Hafiz of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center questioned Homan’s premise that deportations enhance community safety, stating, “All the evidence and data has shown that deportations don’t make our communities safer. They destabilize families, they tear communities apart, they hurt our economy.”
Homan did not specify how long he would remain in Minnesota, stating, “I’m staying until the problem’s gone,” and noted efforts to engage with community leaders for potential solutions.
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Reporting by Santana from Washington, with contributions from Tim Sullivan in Minneapolis, Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, and Steven Sloan in Washington.
