Trump administration agrees to end ICE operation in Minnesota

• President Donald Trump has agreed to end Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale ICE deployment in Minnesota.
• White House border czar Tom Homan proposed concluding the surge; Trump concurred.
• About 3,000 immigration agents had been deployed to the state, mainly in Minneapolis.

The Trump administration has announced the end of Operation Metro Surge, the large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that had drawn sustained protests, legal challenges, and national scrutiny, senior White House officials said on Thursday.

White House “border czar” Tom Homan told reporters in Minneapolis that he proposed winding down the operation and that President Donald Trump agreed to conclude the deployment of additional immigration agents to the state.

“As a result of our efforts here, Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” Homan said, outlining the administration’s rationale for the operation. He confirmed that the large influx of federal agents will be significantly reduced, with most personnel returning to their regular duty stations or reassigned elsewhere.

Operation Metro Surge, launched in December 2025, brought roughly 3,000 federal immigration agents, primarily from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other Department of Homeland Security units, to the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. The goal, according to federal officials, was to detain and deport undocumented immigrants deemed threats to public safety.

Public Backlash and Tragedy

The operation became highly contentious. It triggered widespread protests from residents and civil liberties advocates, especially in Minneapolis neighborhoods where agents were deployed. Demonstrations frequently focused on the appearance and tactics of officers, who often operated in camouflage gear and face coverings.

The enforcement campaign also turned deadly. Two U.S. citizens, including a Minneapolis-area mother and an intensive care nurse, were shot and killed in separate confrontations with federal agents during protests, intensifying criticism of the federal approach.

Political and Legal Pressure

Local and state officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, vocally opposed the surge, calling it disruptive and harmful to communities. Some sued the federal government, alleging the operation violated constitutional protections and state sovereignty.

The controversy also attracted bipartisan attention. Republican Senator Rand Paul publicly rebuked the administration for its initial characterization of the two deaths, underscoring concerns about civil liberties during protests.

What Comes Next

Homan said Thursday that while the surge component of the operation will end, ordinary immigration enforcement in Minnesota will continue at pre-surge staffing levels and focus on targeted cases. Coordination with local law enforcement, which the administration described as “unprecedented,” was cited as a factor enabling the drawdown.

Officials estimate the operation resulted in more than 4,000 arrests over its duration, though critics argue many detained individuals lacked serious criminal records.

Local leaders welcomed the announcement but warned of long-term repercussions for communities and stressed the need for accountability and healing.