President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday that the administration will conclude Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.
Homan told reporters during a news conference at the Bishop Whipple Federal in Minneapolis that the operation succeeded in reducing public safety threats with “unprecedented levels of coordination” from state officials and local law enforcement.
“As a result of our efforts here, Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” Homan said.
“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” he continued.
Homan said “a significant drawdown” of immigration agents was already underway, and will continue through next week.
The border czar announced last week that 700 federal officers would leave Minnesota, though 2,000 officers will remain. He cited improved cooperation with jails and said a complete drawdown was the goal, but it was “contingent upon the end of illegal and threatening activities against ICE.”
Homan said Thursday that a “small footprint of personnel” will remain for a period of time, while he will also remain on the ground to oversee the operation’s drawdown and success.
FEDS SHIFT TO TARGETED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN MINNEAPOLIS UNDER HOMAN
“Additionally, federal government personnel assigned to conduct criminal investigations into the agitators, as well as the personnel assigned here for the fraud investigations, will remain in place until the work is done,” Homan said.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, told reporters later Thursday that he had spoken with Homan following the news conference, saying that Homan assured him that federal agents would be leaving.
“We will help you get to the airport. We will clear the roads to get you to the airport,” Walz said. “I will come over and pack your damn bags if that’s what it takes.”
Federal authorities say the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps focused on the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area have led to the arrest of more than 4,000 people.
Homan took over the Minnesota operation in late January after the second fatal shooting by federal immigration agents and amid growing political backlash and questions about how the operation was being run.
Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf and Fox News’ Brooke Taylor, along with The Associated Press contributed to this report.
