The Trump administration is decreasing the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota after two local residents were fatally shot by federal officers, according to border czar Tom Homan. Approximately 700 federal agents will be removed from the immigration operation around Minnesota, as stated by Homan during a press briefing. Last week, he was sent to the Midwestern state following concerns from local officials and citizens regarding what they perceive as aggressive tactics from federal agents, resulting in the deaths of two U.S. citizens.
Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed on January 7 by an ICE officer, while Alex Pretti, also 37 and a critical-care nurse, was fatally shot on January 24 by two Border Patrol officers. In the midst of these tragic events, another resident was shot in the leg by a federal officer.
Presently, about 3,000 federal officers are deployed in the state under Operation Metro Surge, which commenced in early December. Homan mentioned that the departing officers would include a combination of personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), without specifying exact figures.
The federal government argues that the surge is essential to remove criminal immigrants from the streets, citing obstruction from state and local “sanctuary laws and policies.” Homan emphasized the arrests of unauthorized individuals charged with serious offenses, stating, “We’ve taken a lot of bad people off the street. Everyone should be grateful for that.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz urged for a quicker reduction in the federal presence, stating that Operation Metro Surge is not enhancing Minnesota’s safety. He called for a state-led investigation into the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and an end to what he described as a retaliatory campaign.
Democrats have been pushing for reforms to curb the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions. Discussions in Congress are ongoing regarding potential new regulations for ICE and CBP officers following the deadly incidents in Minneapolis and Chicago.
Homan indicated on Wednesday that a complete reduction to pre-surge officer numbers is dependent on ceasing activities targeting ICE officers, such as road blockades. Nearly 160 cases involve individuals charged with intimidating or obstructing federal officers.
Despite Homan’s intervention and the recall of high-profile commander Greg Bovino of U.S. Border Patrol, tensions remain high in Minnesota. Recently, immigration officers with guns drawn arrested activists in Minneapolis, with one individual handcuffed while face-down on the ground for displaying anti-ICE messages on clothing.
Federal officials have caused concern among Minnesota officials by impeding state investigators from accessing evidence in the Good shooting and asserting that Minnesota lacks jurisdiction to probe the killing. The Justice Department declined to commence a civil rights investigation into Good’s death but announced an investigation into the shooting of Pretti.
There have been additional departures from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota, indicating internal discontent over the Justice Department’s handling of the Good shooting. Reports suggest that several attorneys and a supervisory FBI agent have resigned in recent months.