Trump Border Czar Tom Homan Announces End to Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Federal immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota are winding down as Operation Metro Surge, a high-profile initiative aimed at curbing illegal immigration and related criminal activity, concludes this week. Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border czar, announced on February 12 that the operation had achieved its goals thanks to unprecedented coordination with state officials and local law enforcement.
Speaking at a news conference held at the Bishop Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Homan emphasized that the surge had significantly reduced public safety threats across the state. “Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” he declared, underscoring the operation’s impact on local communities.
Operation Metro Surge, launched under the auspices of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), deployed thousands of federal officers to Minnesota to target illegal immigration and associated crimes. At its peak, the operation involved over 2,700 federal personnel, including agents from ICE and other agencies. However, Homan revealed that a “significant drawdown” of personnel was already underway, with 700 officers having left the state last week and plans for continued reductions in the coming days.
Homan credited the success of the operation to “unprecedented levels of coordination” with Minnesota’s state government and local law enforcement agencies. This cooperation included streamlined communication with county jails and law enforcement officials, which facilitated the identification and removal of individuals who posed threats to public safety. The operation’s collaborative approach marked a departure from previous federal efforts that often faced resistance in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws nationwide, emphasizing that any individual in the country illegally could be subject to deportation. This stance aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which prioritizes the removal of the “worst of the worst” offenders. The DHS has supported these efforts with increased funding and resources aimed at bolstering border security and interior enforcement.
While the drawdown signals the end of this particular surge, Homan indicated that a residual federal presence would remain temporarily to ensure continued enforcement and public safety. He also noted that the complete withdrawal of federal officers would depend on ongoing conditions related to illegal immigration and criminal activity in the state.
Operation Metro Surge has been a contentious topic in Minnesota politics. Supporters argue that the operation has restored law and order and curtailed criminal activity linked to illegal immigration. Critics, however, have expressed concerns about civil rights and the impact on immigrant communities. Despite the debate, the operation’s conclusion reflects a strategic recalibration by the federal government in its approach to immigration enforcement in the Midwest.
For more detailed information on immigration enforcement efforts and federal operations, visit the ICE Newsroom and the Department of Homeland Security News pages.
As Minnesota transitions away from this surge, state and local officials will continue to monitor public safety and immigration issues closely, balancing enforcement with community relations in the months ahead.
Leave a Reply