After Protests, Trump Administration To Reduce Immigration Agents By 700 In Minnesota

Last Updated:February 04, 2026, 21:58 IST

Tom Homan announced a reduction of 700 agents in Minneapolis after protests, but 2000 to remain as Trump pursues mass deportations.

Minnesota has emerged as the focal point of a major US federal immigration enforcement drive following two fatal shootings and a large-scale operation that has led to thousands of arrests. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

After protests over US President Donald Trump’s deployment of thousands of armed agents in and around Minneapolis this year, White House border czar Tom Homan on Wednesday announced the number personnel will be reduced by 700.

The Trump administration had deployed thousands of armed immigration enforcement agents in and around Minneapolis to detain and deport migrants.

Reuters quoted Homan saying at a press conference that he was partially drawing down the deployment because he was seeing “unprecedented" cooperation from Minnesota’s elected sheriffs who run county jails.

“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. “President Trump made a promise. And we have not directed otherwise."

He added that though the number of federal immigration enforcement agents will be pulled down by 700, about 2,000 agents will remain on the ground.

Also Read: Op Metro Surge: How Minnesota Became Epicentre Of ICE Immigration Crackdown With 10,000 Arrests

Minnesota has emerged as the focal point of a major US federal immigration enforcement drive following two fatal shootings and a large-scale operation that has led to thousands of arrests. The crackdown has sparked protests, fear among residents and sharp political debate.

The Donald Trump administration on Saturday welcomed a federal court ruling that blocked Minnesota’s attempt to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from carrying out a major immigration enforcement surge in the state.

US District Judge Katherine Menendez, a Biden-era appointee, ruled that a lawsuit filed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was unlikely to succeed at this stage, declining to issue a preliminary injunction that would have halted the federal operation.

Also Read: ‘Huge Legal Win’: Trump Admin Celebrates As Judge Blocks Minnesota’s Bid To Keep ICE Out

The lawsuit challenged what the state described as a sudden spike in ICE deployments under “Operation Metro Surge". Minnesota argued that the move violated the 10th Amendment of the US Constitution, which limits the federal government’s ability to compel states to carry out federal regulatory programmes.

The plaintiffs contended that while Washington can enforce federal law, it cannot “commandeer" state governments by forcing them to assist or implement federal policy.

While the judge said the suit was not without merit, she noted that the bar for granting a preliminary injunction is high.

Menendez even suggested that immigration agents may have engaged in racial profiling and used excessive force, but said the record was not yet clear enough to justify halting the operation.

News world After Protests, Trump Administration To Reduce Immigration Agents By 700 In Minnesota

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