Federal Agents to Leave Minnesota After Cooperation Boost
Minneapolis, MN – The White House is reducing the number of federal agents stationed in Minnesota, according to Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Homan announced Wednesday that 700 federal agents would be leaving the Twin Cities.
This decision comes after what Homan described as “unprecedented cooperation” from local authorities. He specifically mentioned Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, noting discussions about improving communication between local jails and federal law enforcement regarding the release of individuals who are in the country illegally and in custody.
Homan emphasized that this increased cooperation allows ICE to take custody of these individuals within the jail setting, before they are released into the community. This, he argued, is a more efficient and safer approach. Instead of sending multiple officers into neighborhoods to make arrests, a smaller number of officers can handle the transfer within the secure environment of a jail.
“We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets. Unprecedented cooperation,” Homan said Wednesday.
Homan clarified that federal authorities are not asking local jails to detain individuals beyond their scheduled release. The focus is simply on improving communication to ensure a smooth and safe transfer of custody when appropriate. This is not about asking anyone to act as an immigration officer, he said.
Homan stated that the ultimate goal is a “complete drawdown” of federal presence.
