Tom Homan, the US border security chief, has announced that the immigration crackdown in Minnesota is coming to an end.
At a news conference, Homan noted, “I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude.”
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Metro Surge on December 1.
At its peak, about 3,000 immigration officers were surged into the area, initially under the control of Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino.
Homan took over the operation on January 26 after the Trump administration faced political backlash to the deadly shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, anti-ICE protesters who were US citizens.
Homan announced on February 4 that he would “immediately” withdraw 700 federal law enforcement personnel from the area, a decision he said was possible due to increased cooperation from local sheriffs holding suspected undocumented immigrants in their jails.
At the news conference, Homan said that he and his team have improved coordination with state and local officials.
“I’m very pleased to report that this surge operation and our work here with state and local officials to improve coordination and achieve mutual goals, as well as our efforts to address issues of a concern here on the ground have yielded the successful results we have came, came here for.”
Tom Homan
He asserted that Minnesota is “now less of a sanctuary state for criminals” as a result of ICE efforts there.
Homan added that ICE operations would continue as they did before the operation began. He stressed that through targeted enforcement operations based on reasonable suspicion, and prioritising safety and security, ICE will continue to “identify, arrest, and remove illegal aliens who pose a risk to public safety, as we’ve done for years.”
Federal authorities say the sweeps focused on the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area have led to the arrest of more than 4,000 people.
“I don’t have that exact breakdown. I know we’ve made over 4,000 arrests here. That is something local field office can supply.
“I can tell you, since I’ve been on the ground, they’ve been targeted enforcement arrests. I believe they were targeted enforcement arrests before I got here.”
Tom Homan
Homan pointed to some “issues” in Minnesota during the operation, which he said have been resolved.
“I’m going to say there’s, there’s some issues here. We fixed those issues. We’ve had great success with this operation, and we’re leaving Minnesota safer.”
Tom Homan
While Homan said criminals are the priority, he continued to warn that undocumented immigrants, who have not committed crimes, are still at risk of deportation.
Additionally, Homan disclosed that Immigration enforcement will continue throughout the nation, while some personnel will remain in Minnesota.
“A small footprint of personnel will remain for a period of time to close out and transition full command and control back to the field office, as well as to ensure agitator activity continues to decline and that state and local law enforcement continue to respond to ensure officer and community safety.”
Tom Homan
Mass Deportations To Continue
While Operation Metro surge is ending, border czar Tom Homan affirmed in a news conference that mass deportations and enforcement of immigration law will continue.
“That’s what American people voted for,” Homan said. “But we’re prioritizing those who are the biggest threat to our community, the rapists, the murders, the child molesters. That’s the right thing to do.”
Tom Homan
Homan told reporters that President Donald Trump made a promise of mass deportation, “and that’s what this country is going to get.” “Nothing changed, other than we make sure they’re targeted and make sure we know who we’re going for, what their immigration record was, their criminal history,” he added.
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