The Trump administration has announced the end of its highly contentious immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota that sparked widespread protests, thousands of arrests and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.
The decision was confirmed on Thursday by border czar Tom Homan, who said President Donald Trump agreed to conclude the operation following mounting backlash.
Homan told a news conference in Minneapolis that a “significant drawdown” of federal immigration officers has already begun and will continue through the coming week, with agents either returning to their home stations or potentially being reassigned elsewhere.
He reiterated that immigration enforcement efforts will continue nationwide, even as the Minnesota surge ends.
The operation, officially known as Operation Metro Surge, was launched in December in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area and later expanded statewide. Federal authorities say it led to more than 4,000 arrests.
However, it drew fierce criticism for its aggressive tactics, drawing comparisons to a militarised crackdown that extended beyond undocumented immigrants to include detentions of individuals without criminal records — including U.S. citizens and children.
Outrage peaked after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti — two American citizens shot and killed during enforcement actions that opponents say were overly forceful. Their deaths fuelled mass demonstrations in Minneapolis, intensified political scrutiny, and prompted legal challenges from state and local officials.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey welcomed the news of the operation’s end, framing it as a necessary step toward restoring public trust and community safety after weeks of tension and protest.
While Minnesota is set to see a withdrawal of officers tied to the surge, federal immigration authorities say enforcement will not cease nationwide, and that the broader deportation agenda remains in place.
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