The recent surge in federal immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota's Twin Cities is winding down, with a significant number of personnel scheduled to depart. However, White House border czar Tom Homan has stated that a smaller, but persistent, security force will continue its work in the region, even as broader enforcement operations across the country are set to continue. This development follows a period of heightened activity and public attention on immigration enforcement in the area.
Context of Enforcement Surge and Drawdown
The Trump administration has been undertaking a drawdown of its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota's Twin Cities.
Agent Reductions: White House border czar Tom Homan announced that over 1,000 immigration agents have already left the Twin Cities area. Hundreds more are expected to depart in the coming days.
Initial Deployment: This withdrawal is part of a reduction from an earlier surge. Tom Homan had previously stated that 700 federal officers would leave Minnesota immediately, but this still left over 2,000 officers in the state.
Future Assignments: Agents leaving Minnesota will either return to their usual posts or be reassigned elsewhere.
Continued Investigations and Enforcement
Despite the reduction in overall personnel, enforcement activities will not cease entirely in the Twin Cities.
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Ongoing Investigations: Agents will continue to investigate fraud allegations.
Protest Inquiry: Investigations will also proceed into an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a church service.
Broader Operations: Tom Homan emphasized that immigration enforcement and mass deportations will persist nationwide.
Department of Homeland Security Assessment
The Department of Homeland Security has characterized the recent operation in Minnesota.
Largest Operation: The agency described it as its largest immigration enforcement operation in its history.
Stated Success: The operation was deemed successful by the department.
Criticism and Volatility: The crackdown faced increasing criticism as the situation became more volatile. Reports indicated that two U.S. citizens were killed during the enforcement period.
Expert Analysis and Official Statements
Tom Homan, serving as the White House border czar, has been the primary voice on the drawdown and ongoing operations.
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"We already removed well over 1,000 people, and as of Monday, Tuesday, we’ll remove several hundred more." - Tom Homan
Homan has also addressed reports of internal disagreements. He dismissed a Wall Street Journal report suggesting friction between himself, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and advisor Corey Lewandowski regarding deportation strategies, calling such differences routine professional debates.
Local Impact and Community Response
The enforcement surge in the Twin Cities has prompted local reactions and organized efforts.
Community Warnings: Residents in Minneapolis and St. Paul organized to warn immigrants of approaching agents and to document ICE activity.
Conclusion
The significant immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota's Twin Cities is being scaled back, with over 1,000 agents departing and more expected to leave. While the overall presence is diminishing, a smaller security force will remain to continue investigations into fraud and a recent protest. This drawdown occurs amidst the Department of Homeland Security's assessment of the operation as its largest ever, despite facing criticism and a more volatile environment that included the deaths of two U.S. citizens. Enforcement actions are slated to continue nationwide.
Sources:
PBS NewsHour: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trumps-border-czar-says-drawdown-of-ice-agents-in-minnesota-continues-but-smaller-force-will-remain - Article provides a clear overview of the drawdown, remaining investigations, and broader enforcement plans, citing AP reporting.
Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/02/15/trump-border-czar-tom-homan-small-security-force-minnesota-ice-enforcement-drawdown-original-footprint/ - This article reiterates the key points regarding the drawdown, ongoing investigations, and the continuation of enforcement, mirroring information from other sources.
Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/15/trumps-border-czar-minnesota-enforcement-drawdown/ - This report aligns with the details provided by AP and other outlets concerning the number of agents departing, the remaining investigations, and the overall strategy.
SCMP: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343653/trumps-border-tsar-homan-says-small-security-force-will-remain-minnesota - This article includes specific details about the scale of the operation and mentions the fatalities of two U.S. citizens, adding critical context.
The Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/trumps-border-czar-tom-homan-says-small-security-force-will-stay-in-minnesota-as-ice-agents-pull-back/articleshow/128396279.cms - This source provides information on Homan's dismissal of internal friction reports and details community efforts to warn immigrants.
Chattanooga Times Free Press: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/feb/15/trumps-border-czar-says-small-security-force-will-remain-in-minnesota-after-enforcement-drawdown-tfp/ - This article presents information consistent with the AP report, detailing the number of agents leaving and the continued investigations.
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