President Donald Trump has directed his border czar, Tom Homan, to travel to Minneapolis this week, replacing Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. The move comes as tensions rise following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti and an earlier incident in which immigration agents killed Renee Nicole Good.

The Midwestern city has become a focal point of national scrutiny after eyewitness accounts and video footage contradicted the administration’s explanation of Pretti’s death, prompting bipartisan demands for an independent inquiry into immigration enforcement tactics.

Announcing the deployment, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me.”

The move comes amid unrest in the city and mounting pressure on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

A four-decade career in immigration enforcement

Homan, 64, began his career in 1984 as a Border Patrol agent before joining Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon its creation in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security. He became a central figure in the Obama administration’s immigration strategy while leading the Enforcement and Removal Operations division, which focuses on locating and deporting people with outstanding removal orders.

Despite his reputation as one of Trump’s most loyal allies and a vocal critic of President Joe Biden, some observers consider him more measured than others in the current administration. In 2015, the Obama administration granted him a prestigious Presidential Rank Award for government service.

Homan had intended to retire in early 2017, but then–Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly persuaded him to stay, elevating him to a visible leadership role throughout Trump’s first term.

Under President Barack Obama, deportations peaked at 432,000 in 2013 – the highest annual number on record. Removals during Trump’s previous term did not exceed 350,000.

Architect of Trump’s aggressive enforcement agenda

Homan has long advocated for a sweeping approach to immigration enforcement, portraying illegal entry as a clear-cut issue requiring rigorous action. He repeatedly defended Trump’s policy of targeting all individuals without legal status – including those without criminal histories.

In a 2018 interview with The Associated Press, he said: “If you’re in the country illegally, you should be concerned… Just like if I go speeding down the highway, are you worried about getting a ticket? If you lie on your taxes, are you worried about an audit?”

He added: “People ask me all the time, why did you remove that guy who’s been here 12 years and has two US citizen kids. I said because he had his due process.”

Homan also signalled that workplace enforcement – largely reduced under Biden – would return. In 2024, he declared: “I will run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.”

Public pledges of restraint amid criticism

After being named border czar, Homan told Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures in 2024 that his top priority would be removing “public safety threats” and “national security threats,” describing them as the “worst of the worst.” He insisted that operations would be conducted in a “humane manner.”

On 60 Minutes later that year, he dismissed concerns about mass neighbourhood raids or detention camps as “ridiculous,” and suggested that deporting families together could prevent separations.

However, recent enforcement patterns have drawn criticism. In Minnesota, there have been reported cases of ICE agents detaining people with legal immigration status, US citizens and children – instances that do not align with the stated focus on high-risk individuals.

Bribery accusations and White House backing

Homan has also faced scrutiny over a bribery investigation involving an undercover FBI operation. Agents posing as businesspeople allegedly gave him $50,000 in 2024 in exchange for help securing future government contracts. The probe was later shut down by the Trump Justice Department.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the episode as an attempt by the Biden administration to “entrap” one of Trump’s key supporters.

Gregory Bovino to leave Minneapolis

A significant shift in leadership accompanies Homan’s deployment. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter, as the administration recalibrates its operation following the second fatal shooting by federal officers.

Bovino attracted sharp criticism after claiming Pretti had been planning to “massacre” law enforcement officers – a statement authorities have not substantiated. His pending departure marks a broader effort to adjust the federal footprint in the city as tensions remain high.

Deployment to Minneapolis amid political tensions

Trump’s decision to dispatch Homan comes as DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confronts intense criticism following the two deadly ICE shootings. Trump also linked the unrest to broader issues in Minnesota, writing, “Separately, a major investigation is going on with respect to the massive 20 Billion Dollar, Plus, Welfare Fraud… Additionally, the DOJ and Congress are looking at ‘Congresswoman’ Illhan Omar…”

The move has also reignited attention on a reported feud between Homan and Noem. Axios previously reported that the two rarely communicate, fuelling speculation late last year that Noem might be pushed out. Trump later dismissed the rumours, telling an adviser: “Kristi's doing a great job… Her and Tom don't get along. But they're doing great.”

Noem publicly supports Trump’s decision

Despite the internal tensions, Noem publicly endorsed the president’s move. On X, she wrote, “This is good news for peace, safety, and accountability in Minneapolis.”

She added: “I have worked closely with Tom over the last year… his experience and insight will help us in our wide-scale fraud investigations… and will help us to remove even more public safety threats and violent criminal illegal aliens off the streets of Minneapolis.” 

(With inputs from AP)