Border enforcement chief Tom Homan announced that roughly 700 federal agents currently deployed in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area will be withdrawn as part of a shift in operations.
Homan said the planned pullback is contingent on increased cooperation from local authorities, particularly improved access to jail facilities that would allow federal officers to detain individuals with criminal records more efficiently. He framed the change as a response to conditions on the ground and as part of an effort to reduce tensions between federal agents and local communities.
The agents currently in the region include personnel from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and related federal law-enforcement units. Their presence was established to assist with immigration enforcement and public safety amid unrest and confrontations involving federal operations.
Homan emphasized that the drawdown would not mean an end to federal involvement but rather a reallocation of resources as relationships with state and local leaders evolve. He said that should cooperation falter or threats escalate, the timeline and scale of the withdrawal could change.
The announcement follows weeks of debate over federal enforcement tactics in Minnesota, with local officials and community groups raising concerns about clashes between agents and protesters. Homan’s remarks signal a new phase in how the administration is managing its deployment of immigration officers in the region.