Trump’s border chief Tom Homan promises a ‘smarter’ immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, hinting at a potential drawdown of federal agents.
MINNEAPOLIS: Donald Trump’s border chief has suggested some federal agents could be withdrawn from Minneapolis, the flashpoint for the president’s immigration crackdown.
Tom Homan vowed to press on with the mission but said more cooperation could lead to a reduction in agents. “We are not surrendering our mission at all. We’re just doing it smarter,” Homan said at a press conference.
He stated his staff was “working on a drawdown plan” for some of the more than 3,000 federal agents involved in “Operation Metro Surge.” The move follows a public backlash over the shooting deaths of two Americans by federal agents in the city.
Homan struck a conciliatory tone, a marked difference from the previous commander. “Community safety is paramount,” he said. “President Trump and I, along with others in the administration, have recognized that certain improvements could and should be made.”
The border chief urged Minnesotans to avoid “hateful rhetoric” against federal immigration officers. Increased cooperation from Minnesota authorities is key to the drawdown, he explained.
One measure would involve notifying ICE about the release dates of incarcerated migrants considered criminal risks. “This is commonsense cooperation that allows us to draw down on the number of people we have here,” Homan said.
Minneapolis has been gripped by weeks of demonstrations against the roundup of undocumented migrants by masked agents. Mayor Jacob Frey likened the federal operation to an “invasion.”
“People’s constitutional rights have been trampled,” Frey told a conference of US mayors. “It’s not how we operate in America.”
Trump sent Homan to Minnesota to take control, effectively sidelining Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem. The political battle has now landed in Congress, with Senate Democrats blocking a procedural vote over the Minnesota killings.
Steven Gagner, a 41-year-old “citizen observer” in Minneapolis, was skeptical about the drawdown. “This administration has proven time and time again that they just lie to us,” he told AFP.
Homan declined to comment on the shooting, saying he would “let the investigation play out.” The two agents involved have been placed on leave.
“Any federal agents who breach standards of conduct will be dealt with,” Homan warned. Trump has said he wanted to “de-escalate a little bit” in Minneapolis but has continued his attacks on Somali-born congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
