Trump Administration to Withdraw 700 Immigration Agents from Minnesota
The Trump administration announced on February 4, 2026, a partial pullback of federal immigration enforcement from Minnesota, reducing the presence by 700 agents while keeping about 2,000 in place.
White House border czar Tom Homan stated the immediate withdrawal follows “unprecedented collaboration” from local sheriffs, who will now hand over arrested immigrants from county jails. This allows safer, more efficient operations without as many street-level agents, though full-scale deportations continue nationwide.
President Trump deployed thousands of armed ICE and CBP agents to Minneapolis this year in “Operation Metro Surge,” described as the largest immigration crackdown ever, amid a welfare fraud scandal involving Somali communities.
The operation targeted deportable migrants but sparked intense backlash.
Weeks of protests, feuds with Democratic state leaders, and violent clashes ensued, including fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good (Jan. 7 by ICE) and Alex Pretti (Jan. 24 by CBP). Minnesota officials deem the remaining 2,000 agents excessive, but Homan tied further reductions to ending protest interference