10
Loading video...
By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Trump administration has pulled 700 federal immigration agents from Minnesota.
Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's border czar, said at a news conference on Wednesday that the move was a result of "unprecedented collaboration" with local officials.
"I have announced, effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people effective today, 700 law enforcement personnel," said Homan, who recently took over operations in Minnesota.
Read More on U.S.
The border czar also criticized what he called unacceptable inconsistencies around agents' use of body-worn cameras in the Twin Cities.
Why It Matters
While not the first target for immigration enforcement operations under the Trump administration, Minnesota and its Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have seen tensions soar between federal agents and local leaders and protesters. For weeks, clashes have taken place in communities across the area—particularly after federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens. Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have been among those calling for ICE to leave the state, while the Trump administration has insisted that it is pursuing only illegal immigrants with criminal records.
...
How Many ICE Agents in Minnesota? What To Know
Homan said on Wednesday that he'd had productive conversations with local officials in Minnesota—including Walz, Frey and law enforcement officials—about increasing cooperation to ensure alleged illegal immigrant criminals were not released into the community.
"We have made significant progress under the direction of President Trump, working with state and local officials in Minnesota, and I expect that to increase in the coming weeks," Homan said, adding that with county jails and local police working more closely with the federal government, agents could pull back.
Homan said at the news conference that he was not asking local law enforcement to be immigration officers, and that jails were not required to hold suspects or those convicted of a crime past their mandated jail time—a concern raised by multiple sanctuary cities and counties. He said increased communication with federal agents would ensure easy transfer of individuals into ICE detention.
At the peak of operations a few weeks ago, between 2,000 and 3,000 federal agents—including those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—were deployed in Minnesota. Cutting 700 agents would significantly reduce ICE and Border Patrol's presence.
Border Czar Critical of 'Inconsistencies' in Body-Worn Cameras
...
After being sent to Minnesota last week, replacing CBP's Gregory Bovino, Homan was tasked with calming the rhetoric around immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota.
During Wednesday's briefing, Homan repeated his message that the Trump administration's goal was to carry out "targeted immigration enforcement operations, like ICE traditionally has done for decades," rather than sweeping arrests seen in the Twin Cities in recent weeks.
Homan said operations would become more organized, reducing personnel footprint, and increase public safety and confidence in DHS' presence in the area.
Part of that effort includes using body-worn cameras, with Homan saying some agents and officers had the cameras, while others did not.
"That inconsistency was unacceptable, so we moved immediately to prioritize full bodycam deployment in the city," Homan said. "The plan is to deploy them nationwide, but it's a priority for the city right now."
"The president is supportive of the decision because we have nothing to hide. We want to be fully transparent in what we do," he continued.
Homan said he and the president wanted the public to trust law enforcement, and that any wrongdoing by officers would not be tolerated. His comments contrasted with other messages from the Trump administration that agents had immunity from prosecution, following the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens, by ICE and Border Patrol agents.
What People Are Saying
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a video posted on X on Tuesday: "We've all heard about the families getting torn apart. We've all heard about the constitutional violations, we've heard about people going hungry, and in addition to that, there is a massive impact on our small and local businesses. Small local businesses collectively are losing between $10 [million] and $20 million every week."
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said previously: "The American people support law enforcement. They support border security. They do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens."
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem wrote on X last week: "As funding is available, the body camera program will be expanded nationwide. We will rapidly acquire and deploy body cameras to DHS law enforcement across the country. The most transparent administration in American history—thank you @POTUS Trump. Make America Safe Again."
What Happens Next
On Wednesday, Homan repeated the federal government's message that it was not legal for individuals to impede or assault federal agents. He said his plan for a full drawdown of federal agents from Minnesota relied on clashes ceasing.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines