MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An immigration crackdown that led to mass detentions, protests, and fatalities in Minnesota is set to conclude, as federal officials announced today. Tom Homan, acting as the White House's border czar, confirmed the expected end of Operation Metro Surge during a Thursday press conference, indicating the operation would wrap up soon. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had previously anticipated the operation's conclusion within days, based on discussions with senior Trump administration officials.
We're making Minnesota less of a sanctuary for criminals, Homan stated. The operation, which commenced in December, focused on the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, resulting in over 4,000 arrests. Many of those detained included individuals with no criminal records, contributing to community unrest and protests.
The federal crackdown has faced significant criticism, especially following two fatalities linked to the enforcement measures, prompting widespread public outrage. Homan reported that 700 federal officers would leave Minnesota imminently, initiating a drawdown expected to continue over the coming weeks, although there will still be around 2,000 officers remaining in the state. Local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, expressed optimism regarding the discussions surrounding the reduction of federal presence in the area.
Governor Walz emphasized the need to build trust while remaining cautious about federal tactics, describing past operations as essentially an 'occupation' of the state. The announcement marks a pivotal reduction in enforcement pressures, following determined community activism and calls for accountability in immigration practices.
We're making Minnesota less of a sanctuary for criminals, Homan stated. The operation, which commenced in December, focused on the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, resulting in over 4,000 arrests. Many of those detained included individuals with no criminal records, contributing to community unrest and protests.
The federal crackdown has faced significant criticism, especially following two fatalities linked to the enforcement measures, prompting widespread public outrage. Homan reported that 700 federal officers would leave Minnesota imminently, initiating a drawdown expected to continue over the coming weeks, although there will still be around 2,000 officers remaining in the state. Local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, expressed optimism regarding the discussions surrounding the reduction of federal presence in the area.
Governor Walz emphasized the need to build trust while remaining cautious about federal tactics, describing past operations as essentially an 'occupation' of the state. The announcement marks a pivotal reduction in enforcement pressures, following determined community activism and calls for accountability in immigration practices.
