Tom Homan said ICE and Border Patrol agents will be “withdrawal” in Minnesota as federal authorities refocus on “targeted” enforcement and increase access to state prisons.
White House Border Security Director Tom Homan on Thursday outlined plans to “reduce” the federal presence in Minnesota as authorities focus on more “targeted” enforcement. This is a major shift in strategy amid backlash following the shooting deaths of two Americans by immigration officials.
“We’re going to see big changes right here in this city,” Homan said, adding that “fewer agents will be on the streets” as federal authorities increase access to local jails and target immigrants with criminal records, a departure from the Minneapolis operation.
Homan, who President Donald Trump sent this week to take over operations in Minnesota, cited “significant progress” with state and local officials that could lead to an agreement to increase cooperation with federal authorities. Homan also acknowledged that changes are needed in Minnesota’s immigration operations.
“I’m not here because the federal government accomplished its mission perfectly,” he said. “What we’ve been working on is making this operation safer and more efficient. The mission will improve because of the changes we’re making internally.”
The announcement is the most significant change in operations since federal agents shot and killed Alex Preti and Renee Good in Minneapolis this month, sparking nationwide protests, a spate of lawsuits, friction within the Republican Party and growing frustration with the Trump administration’s heavy-handed immigration crackdown.
As pressure mounts, President Trump on Monday replaced Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino with Homan and promised a “gradual de-escalation” of operations in Minnesota.
On Thursday, Sen. Susan Collins announced that the immigration operation in Maine has ended less than 10 days after it began. Collins, a Republican, said she was informed of the news by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
President Trump is Trump, and his Cabinet is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. ET.
The meeting comes as the Trump administration faces criticism over its handling of an immigration crackdown in Minnesota, where federal agents shot and killed two protesters this month.
Please see the details of the meeting here.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, where he planned to meet with lawmakers and call for an end to federal immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities.
Frey was in the nation’s capital for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He said in a statement that he plans to work with other city leaders to urge lawmakers to take charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The meeting comes as Congressional Democrats threaten to partially shut down the government unless Republicans install guardrails for immigration enforcement.
“Minneapolis may have seen one of the largest ICE deployments in the country, but it won’t be the last if we don’t take action,” Frey said in a statement. “I’m going to Washington to advocate for an end to this strategy and replace it with an approach that builds trust, improves safety, and puts residents first.”
Homan said federal immigration agents were working in “difficult circumstances under extraordinary circumstances” and called local protesters “agitators.”
Homan said investigators will conduct “targeted strategic enforcement operations” focused on threats to public safety.
“They’re trying to do it professionally. If they don’t do it, they’re going to be disciplined,” Homan said. “Like other federal agencies, we have standards of conduct.”
Homan said he will not tolerate obstruction, obstruction or assault of police officers.
In announcing cuts to Minnesota’s ICE workforce, Homan insisted the administration was not reversing President Trump’s priority of deporting immigrants who commit violent crimes.
“We are not abandoning the president’s mission on immigration enforcement. Let’s be clear about that,” said Homan, the White House border czar.
Homan said ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minnesota are conducting “targeted enforcement operations,” the same approach he said the federal government has taken for decades.
“That’s traditionally been the case, and that’s what we intend to do,” Homan said. “When we go out into the streets, we know exactly who we’re looking for, and we know exactly where to find them.”
Homan’s comments come as ICE faces criticism for indiscriminately targeting residents.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since arriving in Minnesota three days ago, Homan said he met with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. He said his mission is to “bring law and order back” to Minnesota.
“I didn’t come to Minnesota for the photo op or the headlines,” Homan said. “I came here to look for solutions, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
He reiterated his administration’s opposition to so-called “sanctuary cities” that protect immigrants.
“As I have said many times to this administration over the past few years, jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities are sanctuary cities for criminals. Sanctuary cities are sanctuary cities for criminals, and that poses a danger to local residents.”
Homan said in his opening remarks at the news conference that he did not agree on everything with state and local officials. “I didn’t expect to agree on every point,” he said.
“I’ve heard a lot of people want to know why we’re talking to people who we don’t consider friends of the administration. The bottom line is that we can’t solve problems without talking,” Homan said.
Homan said he came to Minnesota to find a solution. “And that’s what we’re trying to do. We’ve come a long way.”
A federal judge in Minneapolis said Wednesday it was U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that flouted the law by ignoring dozens of federal court orders during a surge in immigration enforcement this month.
After authorities belatedly complied with an order to release a wrongfully detained man from Ecuador while suspending a contempt of court hearing against Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz cited at least 96 court orders that he said ICE had violated in 74 cases.
A federal judge in Minnesota on Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order against the Department of Homeland Security, prohibiting it from arresting and detaining refugees in the state, and ordering the department to release refugees in its custody.
U.S. District Judge John R. Tanheim issued a restraining order in connection with a class-action lawsuit filed by Minnesota refugees who say they are being detained and detained by the Department of Homeland Security without “warrant or justification,” according to a court filing.
The judge’s order reaffirms the legal status refugees have in the United States and calls into question the legality of Operation Paris, a new homeland security policy that requires authorities to “target and review the legal status” of 5,600 refugees living in Minnesota who are not permanent residents.
A new video reportedly shows Preti having a heated exchange with federal agents about 11 days before the shooting.
A video shared by Trump and major news networks including NBC News and CBS News shows Preti kicking the rear taillight of a car before being tackled by an agent. The video footage does not include the moments leading up to the heated battle.
A representative for Preeti’s family told CBS News that the family was aware of the incident and that Preeti was injured but not receiving medical treatment. The family could not be reached for comment.
In the wake of Preti’s death, Senate Democrats outlined three key demands for homeland security reform ahead of a likely partial government shutdown.
They want President Trump to end intensive immigration checks known as “crunch patrols” and demand more accountability for ICE and Border Patrol, including independent investigations and stricter standards for the use of force. It also requires officers to remove their masks and use body-worn cameras.
If Congressional Republicans and the White House don’t negotiate these demands, a new funding crisis is looming, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned. Click here for details.
– Zachary Charmelet
Contributions: Charles Ventura and Tano Nguyen, US TOD. Reuters
