White House border chief Tom Homan announced Wednesday that 700 federal immigration personnel would be withdrawn from Minneapolis following an incident that has deeply affected the city and resulted in two fatalities.
Speaking at a city press conference, Homan stated that this reduction in forces was achievable due to “unprecedented” collaboration between federal and local authorities.
He further noted that the agents being pulled out would come from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), though “approximately 2,000” federal law enforcement officers would .
“This represents intelligent law enforcement, not a reduction in law enforcement,” he commented.
Homan indicated that a full withdrawal of federal agents would hinge on Minnesota’s “cooperation” with federal law enforcement agencies.
For the first time, Homan recognized the growing public criticism concerning the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good—U.S. citizens who died at the hands of federal agents while observing enforcement activities—and addressed the improper conduct of federal personnel present.
“The American public expects and merits professionalism and trustworthiness, and both the president and I anticipate that any misconduct will not be tolerated and will be promptly dealt with,” Homan stated.
“Was the operation flawless? No. However, I won’t assert that they failed. It was a successful operation,” he further remarked.
Homan explained that the withdrawal stemmed from the collaboration of the state’s correctional facilities, which significantly reduced the “target list” of undocumented immigrants possessing criminal records.
Homan additionally mentioned that he has unified the command structures between ICE and CBP within the Twin Cities region. He stated that representatives from the legal and internal affairs divisions of these law enforcement bodies would also be present to guarantee adherence to legal standards.
“This restructuring allows ICE to utilize combined intelligence resources, decrease its overall personnel presence, and bolster public safety and trust in the agency’s abilities and operations here,” Homan declared.
Homan reaffirmed that immigration enforcement activities would continue daily across the nation, consistent with President Trump’s mass deportation policy.
He also stated that while all individuals possess a constitutional right to protest, federal officers ought to be permitted to perform their duties free from harassment or interference. In the last month, Homan reported that at least 158 individuals have been apprehended for such actions.
“For years, I’ve been asserting that the extreme language directed at ICE personnel is entirely unacceptable. Please cease,” Homan urged.
President Donald Trump dispatched Homan last week in response to public outrage concerning the shootings of Pretti and Good. At his previous press conference last week, Homan admitted that “some enhancements could be implemented” in Minneapolis but affirmed the continuation of immigration operations. Homan has since taken over from Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino in Minneapolis, who had openly advocated for aggressive tactics and has since been transferred out of state.
