Homan announces end to Minnesota immigration surge

Border Czar Tom Homan on Thursday announced the Trump administration was ending its large-scale surge of federal immigration officers in Minnesota, unwinding an operation that drew fierce opposition from residents and local officials and led to the fatal shootings of two American citizens.

"I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude," Mr. Homan said at a press conference in Minneapolis, citing arrests of "public safety threats" and "unprecedented levels of coordination" with state and local officials.

"A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue through next week," he said.

The extensive campaign, dubbed "Operation Metro Surge," began last December and brought as many as 3,000 federal agents to the Twin Cities area to carry out immigration enforcement actions. Federal officials have said the operation resulted in more than 4,000 arrests, though detailed breakdowns of those cases have not been publicly released.

"As a result of our efforts here, Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals," Mr. Homan said.

Federal agents shot three individuals, including killing U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, sparking bipartisan outrage and leading to the dismissal of Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who was replaced by Mr. Homan.

Since taking over the operation, Mr. Homan has sought to lower tensions by shifting to more targeted enforcement actions, increasing coordination with state and local governments, and reducing the number of officers deployed on the streets.

Despite the end of the surge, Mr. Homan said the Trump administration will continue pursuing its mass deportation plan and will maintain a "small footprint" of personnel in the area for "a period of time" as command transitions back to a local field office.

"If you are here in the country illegally, you are not exempt from our immigration laws," he said. "For those who say we are backing down from immigration enforcement or the promise of mass deportations, you are simply wrong."

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