Washington: The Trump administration has announced the conclusion of a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota following weeks of protests and mounting public criticism.

Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s lead official on immigration enforcement, confirmed on Thursday that the intensified operation in the state would be wound down.

"I have proposed and President Trump has concurred that this surge operation conclude," Homan said during a press briefing outside Minneapolis. "A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue through the next week."

The operation involved thousands of federal personnel, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, who carried out widespread raids and arrests. The administration described the effort as a targeted campaign against criminal offenders.

However, the enforcement drive sparked sustained demonstrations in the Minneapolis area. Public anger intensified after the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in separate incidents last month.

Homan indicated that officers deployed in Minnesota could be reassigned elsewhere but did not disclose potential future locations.

"In the next week, we're going to deploy the officers here on detail, back to their home stations or other areas of the country where they are needed. But we're going to continue to enforce immigration law," he said.

Immigration enforcement was a central theme of Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign. Yet, footage circulating daily from Minnesota — showing masked agents conducting arrests — along with reports alleging detentions based on limited evidence, contributed to declining approval ratings for the president.

The detention of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos on January 20 further fuelled criticism.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the ICE deployment as deeply damaging to the community.

"The ICE operation had been catastrophic for our neighbors and businesses, and now it's time for a great comeback," Frey said.

"We will show the same commitment to our immigrant residents," he added.

‘Unprecedented federal invasion’

Following the killings of Good and Pretti, the administration reassigned Customs and Border Protection commander Gregory Bovino and replaced him with Homan, who sought dialogue with Democratic leaders in the state.

Minneapolis operates as a Democratic-led “sanctuary” city, where local law enforcement does not assist federal immigration authorities.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticised the federal deployment, calling it an "unprecedented federal invasion in all aspects of life."

"This is something I don't think any state has ever experienced," Walz said Thursday, adding that he was "cautiously optimistic" about the withdrawal.

Some residents remained sceptical. A Minneapolis resident identified as Molly, 42, told AFP: "I don't buy it."

"They pulled the same public relations (stunt) in Los Angeles," she said, referring to a similar immigration crackdown in California last summer.

Democratic lawmakers have called for sweeping reforms to ICE, including banning mobile patrols, preventing agents from covering their faces and requiring warrants for enforcement actions.

Meanwhile, political negotiations in Washington over ICE funding remain uncertain. If talks fail, the Department of Homeland Security could face a funding shortfall beginning Saturday. While ICE and Customs and Border Protection could continue operations using previously approved funds, other agencies such as FEMA may be affected.

Homan said some officers would remain stationed in Minnesota but did not provide specific numbers.

"The Twin Cities, Minnesota in general, are and will continue to be, much safer for the communities here because of what we have accomplished under President Trump's leadership," he said.

He added that more than 200 individuals had been arrested for interfering with federal officers during the operation, but did not disclose the total number of immigration-related arrests or deportations.
AFP