Minneapolis, Minnesota – The Trump administration has announced the end of aggressive immigration operations in Minnesota that had sparked widespread protests and national outrage following the killing of two U.S. citizens.
Thousands of federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, had conducted sweeping raids in recent weeks. Officials claimed the missions targeted criminals, but daily footage of masked agents and reports of questionable arrests fueled criticism and sent President Trump’s approval ratings tumbling.
Announcement of Drawdown
At a briefing outside Minneapolis on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Trump’s pointman Tom Homan confirmed the decision:
“I have proposed and President Trump has concurred that this surge operation conclude. A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue through the next week,” Homan said.
He added that officers would return to their home stations or redeploy elsewhere, though he did not specify which city might be targeted next.
Protests and Fatalities
The operations triggered tense demonstrations in the Twin Cities. Anger intensified after the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, killed less than three weeks apart. The case of Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old detained on January 20, further stoked outrage.
Political Fallout
Following the killings, Trump withdrew combative Customs and Border Protection commander Gregory Bovino and replaced him with Homan, who sought to engage local Democratic leaders. Minneapolis, a Democratic-run “sanctuary city,” does not allow local police to cooperate with federal immigration officials.
Opposition Democrats have called for sweeping reforms to ICE, including:
- Ending mobile patrols
- Prohibiting agents from concealing their faces
- Requiring warrants for arrests
If negotiations in Washington fail, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could face a funding shortfall starting Saturday, potentially affecting agencies such as FEMA.
Homan’s Defense
Homan insisted the operations had made Minnesota safer:
“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 reported that more than 200 people had been arrested for interfering with federal officers, though he did not provide figures for immigration-linked arrests or deportations.
Conclusion
The end of the Minnesota surge marks a significant shift in Trump’s immigration enforcement strategy. While the administration insists it will continue enforcing immigration law, the controversy underscores the political and social costs of aggressive operations, leaving communities bracing for where federal agents may deploy next.
