The US immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota will end, President Donald Trump's border tsar told reporters yesterday.
Tom Homan says Trump had approved his request to conclude the operation, adding that he would stay in Minnesota a little longer to oversee the drawdown to ensure its success.
Homan says Operation Metro Surge had resulted in many illegal immigrants who had committed violent crimes being detained for deportation,however, the surge also sparked nationwide protests after two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were reportedly killed by immigration officers.
After the news conference, top Minnesota and federal officials appeared at a Capitol Hill hearing on Trump’s immigration crackdown.
US immigration officials have scaled back Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota after arresting more than 4,000 undocumented immigrants, including individuals convicted of serious crimes, according to Border Tsar Tom Homan.
Homan described the operation as a “great success” and said the number of enforcement targets has been greatly reduced. He confirmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement will maintain a presence in the state, but federal agents are being gradually withdrawn following increased cooperation from local law enforcement.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he is “cautiously optimistic” about the drawdown but claimed the operation caused economic hardship and long-term trauma.
He is expected to propose a $10 million emergency fund to assist small businesses affected by the surge.
The crackdown followed the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, which led President Donald Trump to send Homan to oversee the operation. The enforcement push faced protests, criticism from Democrats, and some concern from Republicans, while debates over ICE’s conduct and federal funding continue in Congress.
Source: BBC News
