Border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday morning that Operation Metro Surge will end in Minnesota.
Homan said a significant draw down of federal agents began last week and will continue through next week, but did not say how many of the estimated 3,000 federal agents sent to Minnesota are expected to leave. Operation Metro Surge has led to more than 4,000 arrests across the state, he said, calling it a “success.” That number has not been independently verified.
He thanked state and city officials and local law enforcement for cooperating with federal agents on “deescalation efforts,” and for allowing federal authorities to arrest people who are “public safety threats” who are already in custody in county jails.
“We’re moving further on our agreements for the state,” Homan said at a morning news conference. “The cooperation we have here, it’s going to keep this city safer, it’s going to keep our agents safer.”
Homan said he spoke with President Donald Trump, and that the president concurred that the operation should conclude. However, Homan emphasized that the government will not be “backing down” from enforcing immigration policy.
Governor Tim Walz responded to the development at a separate news conference of his own, where he focused on the long-term impact to local businesses. He said he is “cautiously optimistic” about the operation ending soon, and plans to focus on economic recovery and the investigations into the deaths of Renee Nicole Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal agents while observing immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis.
Walz said he plans to propose a $10 million dollar program that would distribute one-time forgivable loans to businesses that were hurt by the federal activity, with a focus on those owned by immigrants. He also said the upcoming legislative session should focus on “recovery of the damage that’s been done to us,” and that he plans to appeal to the federal government to “pay for what they broke here.”
Walz said he knew the operation was heading towards a resolution when Homan arrived in Minnesota.
“I think probably what changed was when Tom Homan came here, I could get a conversation with someone,” he said, adding that Homan made requests that had already been implemented in Minnesota.
For decades, Minnesota has released inmates with immigration matters into federal custody after they served their sentences. Walz said Homan also demanded that he tell demonstrators to protest peacefully, which the governor agreed with and has publicly expressed multiple times.
“That’s an easy thing for me to do because that’s what I said, but I’m not going to ask them to not be on the streets,” Walz said of peaceful protests.
Homan’s announcement will not signify a complete end to federal activity in Minnesota.
A small number of federal personnel will remain in the state to conduct criminal investigations into alleged fraud and “agitators,” Homan said, adding that Trump sent him to improve the operation. Homan said he made changes to “establish a single unified chain of command structure,” such as deploying body cameras and increasing oversight of agents’ conduct.
Homan arrived in Minnesota in late January after federal agents shot and killed Good and Pretti, drawing international attention and criticism to the operation, which has been described as the largest of its kind in U.S. history. Another agent shot and wounded Julio Cesar Sosa Celis in the leg on Jan. 14 during an enforcement action.
The operation has also faced backlash as several accounts surfaced of federal agents arresting children, U.S. citizens and people with no criminal history. Agents also broke into homes without warrants, used excessive force on civilian protesters and racially profiled citizens and off-duty police officers, often making traffic stops that local law enforcement leaders said were not within federal agents’ legal authority.
Antonio Romanucci, an attorney representing Good’s family in a civil investigation into her death, released a statement Thursday saying he’s “cautiously optimistic,” but remains “deeply concerned” about continued ICE presence across the country.
“The agents’ departure from Minnesota does not dismiss the absolute need for accountability for their actions during Operation Metro Surge, and we are committed to seeking justice for our clients,” Romanucci said.
Mayors Her, Frey react
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her said in a statement Thursday that she was told ICE would be reducing its presence in Minnesota last week, yet federal agents were involved in a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday in a densely populated neighborhood.
“Any announcement of a drawdown or end to Operation Metro Surge must be followed by real action,” Her said.
ICE officers were conducting a traffic stop when the driver fled in a vehicle, according to a statement from Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin. The driver, Alexander Romero-Avila, is from Honduras and did not have legal status in the country. No ICE officers or members of the public were injured, but Romero-Avila was taken to the hospital for “evaluation of injuries.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also issued a written statement Thursday, saying that he wants to see support continue for immigrant neighbors and businesses after the operation ends.
“This operation has been catastrophic for our neighbors and businesses, and now it’s time for a great comeback,” Frey said.
ICE Out of Minnesota Coalition, a group of Minnesota unions, faith leaders and immigrant activist groups, released a joint statement Thursday saying they’re committed to supporting Minnesotans who have been detained or had their civil rights violated by ICE.
“While we are thrilled that this wave of attacks is seemingly being significantly scaled back, we must acknowledge the deep harm and trauma these last few months have brought to our state,” the statement said.
The operation has caused children to fear going to school, led to small businesses closing down, and separated “thousands” of families, the coalition said.
“Our state continues to be held together by the bravery and solidarity of our residents, with no help from the corporations or those in power,” the group’s statement said, adding that many Minnesotans delivered groceries to immigrants, among other efforts.
