‘Unprecedented collaboration’: Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan announces withdrawal of 700 immigration agents in Minnesota – The Times of India
File photo: Tom Homan (Picture credit: AP)
The Trump administration will withdraw around 700 federal immigration enforcement officers from Minnesota after state and local authorities agreed to increase cooperation with federal agencies, White House border czar Tom Homan said on Wednesday. The move will reduce the federal presence in the state from roughly 3,000 officers to about 2,000, according to details shared by officials.Announcing the decision at a news conference, Homan said the drawdown was prompted by what he described as “unprecedented collaboration” from local law enforcement agencies, particularly county sheriffs who operate jails. “Given this increase in unprecedented collaboration, and as a result of the need for less public safety officers to do this work and a safer environment, I am announcing, effective immediately, we’ll draw down 700 people,” Homan said, as per news agency AP.
Cooperation linked to reduced deployment
Homan had earlier indicated that a reduction in federal agents would only be considered if Minnesota officials cooperated with immigration authorities, especially by transferring arrested immigrants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. He reiterated that approach on Wednesday, arguing that cooperation through jails reduces the need for agents to conduct arrests in public spaces.“I push for jails to alert ICE to inmates who could be deported,” Homan said, adding that such transfers are safer for both officers and the public. He also said that, in his view, the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota had been effective. “I just listed a bunch of people we took off the streets of the Twin Cities, so I think it’s very effective as far as public safety goes,” he said.
Protests and fatalities raise tensions
The large-scale federal deployment in and around Minneapolis and St Paul has triggered weeks of protests, with tensions escalating after the killing of protester Alex Pretti. Pretti’s death marked the second fatal shooting by federal officers in Minneapolis during the recent enforcement operations. Two US citizens were killed by federal agents amid the protests, intensifying criticism of the administration’s approach, according to Reuters.Minnesota, which is governed by Democrats, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the surge in immigration enforcement personnel, arguing that the deployment has destabilised communities and undermined local authority.
Sanctuary policies and ongoing enforcement
The White House has repeatedly blamed so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions” for hindering the arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrants. Cities such as Minneapolis limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, prohibiting local officials from asking about immigration status or assisting with enforcement, citing public safety concerns. Local leaders argue that such policies encourage migrants to report crimes without fear of deportation.Despite the partial withdrawal, Homan stressed that the administration’s broader immigration agenda remains unchanged.“Let me be clear, President Trump fully intends to achieve mass deportations during this administration, and immigration enforcement actions will continue every day throughout this country,” he said, according to Reuters. He added that the decision to reduce the number of agents in Minnesota does not signal a shift in policy but reflects tactical adjustments based on local cooperation.Federal officials said enforcement operations will continue across the state, with about 2,000 agents remaining in place, even as discussions with local authorities over jail cooperation and custody transfers continue.