Trump touts 'softer touch' on immigration as federal force is reduced in Minnesota

February 5, 2026

President Trump announced a partial withdrawal of federal immigration agents from Minneapolis after two American citizens were fatally shot during encounters with immigration officers last month. Approximately 700 of the 2,700 federal agents deployed under Operation Metro Surge will be pulled out, reducing the force to pre-December levels while 2,000 agents remain. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, acknowledging the incidents "should have not happened" while attempting to strike a more conciliatory tone on immigration enforcement.

Who is affected

Alex Pretti and Renee Good (two American citizens fatally shot by federal agents)
Liam Ramos (five-year-old boy detained with his father)
Liam's Ecuadorean migrant father
Approximately 700 federal immigration agents being withdrawn from Minneapolis
2,000 federal immigration agents remaining in Minneapolis
Residents of the Minneapolis area
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
Julie Le (government lawyer removed from her Department of Justice role)
Stephen Miller (Trump adviser facing scrutiny)
Individuals arrested during Operation Metro Surge (including those charged with homicide, assault, sex offenses, and gang members)

What action is being taken

700 federal immigration agents are being withdrawn from the Minneapolis area
The US government is providing body-worn cameras to all officers in Minneapolis as a priority
Body-worn cameras are being planned for deployment to agents across the country
2,000 federal immigration agents are remaining in Minneapolis
The operation has been made "more streamlined" with an "established, unified chain of command"

Why it matters

This represents a significant shift in the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement approach, marking a rare acknowledgment of operational problems and civilian casualties. The fatal shootings of two American citizens during immigration operations raises serious questions about use of force, oversight, and the scope of enforcement actions that can impact U.S. citizens. The incident highlights tensions between federal immigration priorities and local community safety, as well as the political consequences when enforcement operations result in American deaths. The administration's decision to scale back operations and implement body cameras suggests recognition that aggressive tactics without proper accountability measures can undermine public support and create legal liability.

What's next

Federal presence will be cut to pre-December Operation Metro Surge levels
Body-worn cameras will be deployed to agents across the country (timeline not specified)
Governor Walz is calling for a faster and larger drawdown of forces
Governor Walz is seeking state-led investigations into the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good

Read full article from source: BBC