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Federal Immigration Surge in Minneapolis Escalates After Two Fatal Shootings

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  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks to reporters while visiting Capitol HIll
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  • Immigration agents draw guns, arrest activists following them in Minneapolis
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  • Immigration agents draw guns, arrest activists following them in Minneapolis
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Operation Metro Surge Deploys Thousands of Federal Agents Amid Rising Tensions The Department of Homeland Security placed roughly 3,000 immigration, Border Patrol and ICE officers in the Twin Cities in late January, branding the deployment “Operation Metro Surge” after the fatal shootings of Renee Good on Jan. 12 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 23, both unarmed civilians. State and local leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, demanded a full withdrawal, arguing the presence outnumbers local police and fuels unrest [2][3][5]. The surge has prompted protests, a federal grand‑jury investigation, and a split among congressional leaders over DHS funding [2][5].

Trump Administration Reacts With Limited De‑Escalation and Leadership Changes President Donald Trump announced a modest “de‑escalation” while pledging a “big investigation” into Pretti’s killing and shifting blame toward Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem [6][7]. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino was removed from his Minnesota role on Jan. 26, and Tom Homan was installed as the new “border czar” to oversee immigration enforcement [6][7]. Despite these moves, the administration has not reduced the number of agents on the ground, maintaining the operation’s scale [5][6].

Homan Offers Conditional Drawdown and Issues New ICE Engagement Rules On Jan. 29, Homan told reporters a drawdown of the roughly 3,000 federal officers would occur only if state and local officials cooperate and cease “hateful rhetoric” [3][4]. An internal memo directed ICE agents to avoid “agitators,” use megaphones for every arrest step, and limit arrests to individuals with criminal histories, effectively reversing previous policies under Bovino [4]. No specific numbers or timelines were provided, and Minneapolis officials continue to demand a rapid reduction [2][3].

Feb. 3 Minneapolis Incident Shows Agents Drawing Guns and Arresting Protesters Immigration officers stopped a convoy in south Minneapolis, ordered trailing activists out at gunpoint, handcuffed at least one protester face‑down, and warned reporters about pepper‑spray use [1]. The city faces a deadline to supply records to a federal grand jury investigating a Justice Department request for information on possible obstruction of immigration enforcement [1]. A federal judge’s earlier limitation that mere following does not create reasonable suspicion was overturned by an appeals court, allowing such stops [1].

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Timeline

Dec 1, 2025 – The Trump administration launches Operation Metro Surge, deploying roughly 3,000 ICE, CBP and Border Patrol agents to Minnesota to target “illegal aliens with criminal histories,” while a multibillion‑dollar fraud probe into the state’s Somali community begins [27].

Jan 7, 2026 – ICE officer shoots activist Renee Good in her vehicle, marking the first U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and sparking statewide protests and calls for a halt to the surge [1][2].

Jan 24, 2026 – Border Patrol agents fatally shoot ICU nurse Alex Pretti during a protest; video later shows he is unarmed, prompting Mayor Jacob Frey to state “the video does not excuse the later shooting” and the Pretti family’s lawyer to reject any justification [4][3][1].

Jan 26, 2026 – President Trump announces he sends “border czar” Tom Homan to Minnesota, describing him as “tough but fair” and noting Homan will report directly to the president [20]; Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly rejects DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s “domestic terrorist” label for Pretti [21]; Trump calls his call with Gov. Tim Walz “very good” and says they are “on a similar wavelength” [27]; Senate Democrats, led by Brian Schatz, threaten to block DHS funding unless stricter ICE oversight is added [3]; U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez begins hearing arguments on a temporary halt to the Minnesota crackdown [27].

Jan 27, 2026 – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announces that “some federal agents will begin leaving the area tomorrow” after a call with Trump, and Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and several agents schedule departure for Tuesday [17][18]; Homan holds a press briefing in Minneapolis, pledging a “more targeted” operation and placing the agents involved in Pretti’s death on administrative leave [4]; Senate Republicans join Democrats in urging a transparent investigation of Pretti’s killing [2]; Kalshi market data shows an 80 % probability that Bovino will exit the administration [9]; Senator John Fetterman publicly demands the removal of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem [10]; Trump posts on Truth Social that he will oversee a “big investigation” into the shooting [8].

Jan 28, 2026 – Trump tells Fox News the administration will “de‑escalate a little bit” in Minnesota, shifts blame to Noem for the Pretti incident, and promises a “big investigation” while Republican governors Greg Abbott and Phil Scott urge Trump to recalibrate the operation [7][13]; Minnesota GOP gubernatorial hopeful Chris Madel quits the race, calling the raid a “disaster” [13].

Jan 29, 2026 – Homan says a drawdown of the roughly 3,000 federal officers will occur only if state and local leaders cooperate and stop “hateful rhetoric,” adding the reduction could be larger under those conditions [6]; a new ICE memo orders agents to avoid “agitators,” use megaphones for arrests, and limit actions to individuals with criminal histories [4]; Mayor Frey expresses hope for fewer federal officers and reiterates the city’s sanctuary stance [6]; Senate Democrats set three conditions—including tighter ICE warrants and mandatory body‑camera use—to avoid a partial government shutdown by Friday [5]; Congress blocks DHS funding in a procedural vote, stripping the package of DHS money while preserving other spending [1].

Jan 30, 2026 – White House border tsar Tom Homan reiterates that the drawdown of federal immigration personnel hinges on local cooperation and the cessation of protest interference, but provides no timeline or numbers for the reduction [1][6].

Feb 3, 2026 – Immigration agents in south Minneapolis draw firearms and arrest activists trailing their convoy, handcuffing at least one protester face‑down and warning reporters to stay back; Homan warns protesters of consequences for interference, while school officials report heightened fear among students and parents [28]; the city complies with a federal grand‑jury subpoena for records related to a Justice Department request on alleged obstruction of immigration enforcement [28].

Feb 6‑22, 2026 (planned) – ICE agents are slated to support diplomatic security details during the Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics, despite the host city’s public rejection of their presence [8].

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