Border czar Tom Homan Wednesday announced an immediate 25% cut in federal agents carrying out the Trump administration’s Minneapolis anti-immigration operation that has led to the killings of two U.S. citizens in the past month.
Homan said he has ordered 700 federal agents to leave the flashpoint city after touting improved cooperation from state and local officials since Trump tapped him to take over leadership of the operation.
He said about 2,000 officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol and other agencies remain in the Twin Cities, but held out the possibility of further drawdowns if conditions improve.
“Given this increase in unprecedented collaboration, and as a result of the need for less public safety officers to do this work and a safer environment, I am announcing, effective immediately, we’ll draw down 700 people effective today,” Homan told reporters.
The pullback suggests Trump wants to ease tensions in Minneapolis, especially after the killing of protester Alex Pretti by ICE agents has drawn widespread criticism.
Even as he announced the partial withdrawal, Homan stuck with his trademark tough-talking stance, blaming protesters for the violence even though videos have shown them mostly acting peacefully.
Homan blamed protesters’ “rhetoric” and “opposition” for sparking confrontations with ICE and Border Patrol, despite the fact that they have a First Amendment right to protest the crackdown.
The White House has long blamed sanctuary cities and states, which limit law enforcement cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, for shielding undocumented immigrants from arrest and deportation.
Critics say immigration agents should stick to tracking down criminals instead of ordinary undocumented immigrants who have no criminal records. They also want the feds to stop carrying out random sweeps of suspected undocumented immigrants and demanding proof of citizenship.
Despite the fierce controversy, Homan claimed the ICE operation in Minnesota has been a success.
“I think it’s very effective as far as public safety goes,” Homan said. “Was it a perfect operation? No. No.”
Homan didn’t mention by name either Pretti or unarmed motorist Renee Good, who was shot dead by agents on Jan. 7. He defended agents accused in the killings and other alleged wrongdoing.
“I don’t think anybody, purposely, didn’t do something they should have done,” he said.
