Federal immigration officials are beginning to end the expanded enforcement operation in Minnesota, border official Tom Homan said Thursday, announcing that Operation Metro Surge is concluding after weeks of heightened federal presence in the Minneapolis area. C-
Homan told reporters he had recommended ending the surge and that President Donald Trump agreed. The announcement came during a public briefing.
In his February 4 briefing, Homan announced that federal agents would withdraw Immigration and Border Patrol personnel by 700, effective immediately, while still keeping a large federal presence in Minnesota.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had said Tuesday that he believes the Trump administration’s crackdown in Minnesota will begin to wind down “days, not weeks and months” after talking to top officials at the White House.
Walz said he spoke with Border Czar Tom Homan on Monday and again Tuesday morning with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and that he expected the administration to provide more information “in the next day or so.
Walz said he was in a “trust but verify” mode and described the federal operation as an “occupation” and a “retribution campaign.” He said he had no reason to believe Homan was not truthful about 700 officers leaving immediately but added that thousands would still remain in Minnesota.
The White House has been portraying the surge as a move for public safety; they have also been boasting about over 4,000 arrests being connected to the surge. The White House described those detained as “criminal illegal aliens’.
Officials said immigration enforcement will continue even as Minnesota’s surge presence is reduced, and state leaders said they will monitor whether the promised drawdown matches what residents see on the ground.
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