Border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday that Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota is coming to an end following what the administration described as a major uptick in arrests of public safety threats across the state.
The operation, launched in early December 2025, deployed approximately 3,000 federal immigration agents to Minnesota to increase enforcement activity. According to Homan, roughly 4,000 arrests were made during the surge, with a focus on individuals deemed public safety risks.
“With that, and the success that has been made arresting public safety threats and other priorities since this operation began, as well as the unprecedented levels of coordination we received from state officials and local law enforcement, I have proposed — and President Trump has concurred — that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said during a press conference.
Federal officials indicated that thousands of agents will begin departing the state in the coming week, returning to their home stations or other areas where resources are needed. Homan previously announced on Feb. 4 that about 700 federal personnel would be leaving the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, citing what he described as “unprecedented collaboration” with state and local officials.
However, Homan emphasized that some security teams will remain in Minnesota to ensure the safety of immigration officers operating in the state.
The surge followed heightened tensions after two separate shootings in Minnesota involving federal immigration officers. Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot during confrontations with federal agents, incidents that sparked protests and political backlash. The circumstances of those shootings remain under investigation, and they intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics in the state.
Homan traveled to Minnesota in late January to address the unrest and meet with state leaders. He said those meetings — including discussions with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison — were productive.
While the surge is ending, Homan made clear that immigration enforcement operations will continue.
“We will continue to enforce immigration laws,” he said, reiterating that while all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to arrest, enforcement efforts will prioritize public safety threats.
