Trump’s border chief Tom Homan pledges to continue targeted immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, promising internal improvements and accountability for agents.
MINNEAPOLIS: President Donald Trump’s border chief has vowed to press on with the federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis while promising internal improvements.
Tom Homan told reporters the mission is not surrendering but will be conducted smarter through targeted enforcement operations. “President Trump wants this fixed. And I’m going to fix it,” Homan said.
He called on Minnesota’s residents to stop what he called “hateful rhetoric” against federal agents. Minneapolis has seen weeks of protests against immigration raids, during which two American demonstrators were shot dead by federal agents.
Homan struck a conciliatory tone, stating that community safety is paramount. He said the mission will improve due to internal changes and that any agents breaching conduct codes “will be dealt with.”
The two agents involved in the latest shooting of nurse Alex Pretti have been placed on leave. President Trump has said he wants to “de-escalate a little bit” in Minneapolis but accused the city’s mayor Jacob Frey of “PLAYING WITH FIRE.”
Frey responded that the job of local police is to keep people safe, not enforce federal immigration laws. The political battle may move to Congress, where Democrats threaten to hold up government funding without immigration agency reforms.
A federal judge has also halted the detention of refugees in Minnesota awaiting permanent resident status. Another judge criticised Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Todd Lyons for likely violating numerous court orders.
The White House initially justified the fatal shooting of nurse Pretti, whom Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem described as a “domestic terrorist.” A widespread backlash led Trump to replace Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino with Homan.
Trump’s focus on Minnesota is linked to a probe into alleged corruption by Somali immigrants in the state. He has persistently targeted Somali-born congresswoman Ilhan Omar, saying she should be sent back to Somalia.
In a recent incident, a man sprayed Omar with an unknown liquid during a speech before being arrested.
