President Trump ends a controversial immigration operation in Minnesota that sparked protests and outrage after two citizens were killed.
MINNEAPOLIS: President Donald Trump’s administration has ended a controversial immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The operation involved thousands of federal agents conducting sweeping raids over several weeks.
The announcement was made by Trump official Tom Homan at a briefing outside Minneapolis. “I have proposed and President Trump has concurred that this surge operation conclude,” Homan stated.
He confirmed a significant drawdown of agents is already underway. The operation will fully conclude over the next week.
The crackdown sparked large, tense demonstrations across the Minneapolis area. It drew nationwide outrage following the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Campaigning against illegal immigration helped Trump get elected in 2024. However, daily videos from Minnesota of violent masked agents hurt the president’s approval ratings.
Multiple reports also emerged of people being targeted on flimsy evidence. The case of a five-year-old boy detained in January further stoked public anger.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the ICE operation “had been catastrophic for our neighbors and businesses”. He added that it was now “time for a great comeback”.
Homan raised the prospect that officers would be redeployed elsewhere. “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,” he said.
He did not specify which city might be targeted next. Homan insisted that federal authorities “will continue to enforce immigration law”.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the ICE deployment an “unprecedented federal invasion in all aspects of life”. He said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the withdrawal.
Some officers will remain in Minnesota, though Homan did not give a figure. He claimed the Twin Cities are “much safer” because of the operation’s accomplishments.
Homan said over 200 people were arrested for interfering with federal officers. He gave no estimate for immigration-related arrests and deportations.
Community organizer Liz Digitale Anderson said the trauma will “reverberate for years”. She praised the community’s resilience and connectedness.
The political fallout continues in Washington. Democrats have called for major reforms to ICE, including ending mobile patrols and requiring warrants.
A funding shortfall for the Department of Homeland Security could begin this weekend. Democrats in the Senate blocked a push to fund the agency on Thursday.
The Sun Malaysia
