Agents in Minneapolis could be pulled back if local officials co-operate, border tsar says

January 30, 2026

Following the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, the Trump administration has indicated it may reduce the number of federal agents deployed to Minnesota if state and local officials cooperate. White House border official Tom Homan announced the operation would become more "targeted" but provided limited details about specific changes, while President Trump attempted to justify the actions by characterizing one victim as an "agitator. " The deaths have sparked widespread protests and bipartisan criticism, with Minnesota officials demanding complete withdrawal of federal forces and Senate Democrats threatening to block government funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless immigration enforcement tactics are reformed.

Who is affected

Renee Good and Alex Pretti (killed during federal operations)
The Pretti family (represented by lawyer Steve Schleicher)
Minneapolis residents, particularly those who appear to be from Mexico, Ecuador, or Somalia
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
Approximately 3,000-4,000 federal immigration and border patrol agents in Minneapolis
Over 480,000 people deported by ICE in Trump's first year
More than 75,000 people currently in DHS detention
Minneapolis city employees (affected by sanctuary city policy)
White House border tsar Tom Homan and Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino
Senate Democrats and Republicans negotiating spending bills
Residents of other Democrat-led cities including Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is planning to "draw down" federal forces in Minnesota
Tom Homan is taking over the Minneapolis operation, sidelining Gregory Bovino
The state of Minnesota is asking a federal judge to stop "Operation Metro Surge"
Senate Democrats are threatening a partial government shutdown over DHS funding
Republicans and Democrats in Congress are working on a deal to remove DHS funding from a spending package
The White House is working with Democrats to avoid a shutdown
Mayor Frey is calling for an end to the federal operation and visiting Capitol Hill
Protests are ongoing in Minneapolis

Why it matters

This situation represents a significant clash between federal immigration enforcement authority and state and local governance, with the deaths of two American citizens during a massive federal operation raising fundamental questions about civil liberties and appropriate use of force. The controversy has created rare bipartisan opposition in Congress, threatening government funding and potentially forcing changes to how immigration enforcement is conducted nationwide. The scale of the operation—with federal forces outnumbering local police by five to one—and allegations of warrantless searches and racial profiling have intensified concerns about overreach of executive power. The outcome will likely set precedents for how federal immigration operations are conducted in cities across the country and could determine the limits of local resistance to federal enforcement actions.

What's next

Federal and state officials will negotiate the level of cooperation required for drawing down federal forces
Congress will continue working on a separate spending plan for DHS after removing it from the broader funding package
Senate Democrats want any DHS funding bill to include restrictions on ICE tactics, specifically prohibiting masks and warrantless searches and arrests
Several House and Senate Republicans have called for investigations into the Good and Pretti shootings
A federal judge will consider Minnesota's request to stop "Operation Metro Surge"

Read full article from source: BBC