White House Border Czar Announces Major Reduction of Federal Agents in Minneapolis
The Department of Homeland Security will immediately withdraw 700 officers from Minneapolis, according to White House border czar Tom Homan. This significant reduction comes as federal authorities attempt to ease tensions following controversial enforcement operations that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens.
Shift Toward Targeted Enforcement After Protest Surge
Tom Homan, dispatched to Minneapolis by President Donald Trump to help deescalate the volatile situation, emphasized that this move represents a strategic shift toward more targeted enforcement. The decision follows widespread protests that erupted after a surge of immigration agents into the region sparked community outrage and demonstrations.
"This is smart law enforcement, not less law enforcement," Homan declared during a press conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. "It's safer for the community, safer for the officers and safer for the alien."
Revised Approach to Immigration Enforcement
The revised enforcement strategy focuses on taking custody of detainees inside jails rather than making arrests in community settings. Homan explained that this approach reduces the need for large teams of officers on the streets, requiring only one or two agents to assume custody instead of eight or ten. This efficiency allows personnel to be redirected toward other enforcement priorities.
Homan clarified that local jails are not being asked to hold individuals beyond their scheduled release times or to conduct immigration enforcement themselves. "They don't hold them one minute past they normally would," he stated, noting that Minnesota state prisons are already cooperating with federal authorities, with plans to expand these arrangements.
Background: National Uproar Over Enforcement Tactics
The agent withdrawal follows national controversy surrounding enforcement tactics in Minnesota. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens during separate operations:
- Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was killed during a Border Patrol operation in January 2026
- Renee Good, a mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE agent weeks earlier
These incidents triggered widespread protests against ICE operations in downtown Minneapolis and prompted the White House intervention.
Remaining Presence and Operational Changes
Despite the withdrawal of 700 agents, approximately 2,000 federal immigration officers will remain in Minnesota. While this represents a reduction from the recent surge levels, it remains substantially higher than the roughly 150 officers typically assigned to the state before the escalation.
Homan also announced several operational changes:
- Customs and Border Protection personnel have been fully integrated into ICE-led operations under a single chain of command
- DHS is accelerating deployment of body-worn cameras in Minneapolis after identifying inconsistent use among agents
- Cooperation with local authorities to detain immigrants with criminal records has improved
"That inconsistency was unacceptable," Homan said regarding the body camera usage, adding that the initiative has President Trump's full support. "We have nothing to hide."
The White House border czar emphasized that these changes represent a recalibration rather than a retreat from immigration enforcement, with the goal of maintaining security while reducing community tensions that have characterized recent operations in the Minneapolis area.
