Homan Cuts Major ICE Deal in Minnesota, Pulls 700 Federal Agents

In a bold shift in immigration enforcement strategy, Border Czar Tom Homan announced Wednesday that the Trump administration will withdraw 700 federal immigration agents from the Twin Cities marking a historic agreement with Minnesota counties to cooperate directly with ICE in detaining criminal illegal aliens.

The move is being hailed as a win for efficiency, public safety, and constitutional law enforcement.

“We now have an unprecedented number of counties working with ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets,” Homan said in a press conference. “This is smarter law enforcement, not less law enforcement.”

The shake-up comes after Homan met with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and AG Keith Ellison, as well as numerous local police chiefs. What emerged is a sweeping new system where local jails will hand over illegal immigrants directly to ICE eliminating the need for risky, high-profile raids on city streets.

• 2,000 federal agents will remain in Minnesota, focusing on high-priority cases and fraud investigations.

• Arrests will remain targeted, but Homan made it clear: “Everyone in the country illegally is still on the table.”

• All ICE officers in Minneapolis will now wear body cameras for transparency during operations.

Homan explained that transferring custody of criminal aliens straight from jails reduces the need for dangerous community operations, where federal agents are often forced into confrontations with protesters or uncooperative jurisdictions.

“This is safer for the community, safer for the officers, and safer for the alien,” Homan said.

The change also includes a unified chain of command between ICE and Border Patrol, streamlining operations and removing bureaucratic inefficiencies. Homan, a veteran of some of the largest federal operations in history, emphasized the importance of centralized leadership in high-stakes missions.

The announcement follows the controversial return of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino to California. Bovino was known for aggressive, made-for-TV raids in sanctuary cities. He has now been replaced in Minnesota by Homan, who is focused on precision and coordination over spectacle.

Homan’s leadership shift also comes in the wake of rising tensions two anti-ICE protesters were recently shot during clashes with federal officers. Homan said he’s asked local law enforcement to take the lead in crowd control and to intervene when officers are physically impeded during arrests.

“Every chief I talked to promised to respond to any public safety issue when our officers are out doing their sworn duty,” Homan stated.

This level of federal-local cooperation marks a drastic departure from the chaos of the Biden years, where rogue jurisdictions flaunted ICE detainers, released criminal aliens, and forced ICE into high-risk street confrontations.

Now, with a Trump administration back in charge, the goal is clear: restore law, order, and common sense to immigration enforcement.

The Minnesota Sheriffs Association has voiced strong support, with Executive Director James Stuart calling it “a work in progress” but a positive step toward enhanced communication and constitutional enforcement.

And it’s just the beginning. Homan noted he’s still speaking with sheriffs across the state, adding: “I have not heard the word no.”

This is what leadership looks like taking control, building consensus, and putting the safety of American communities first.

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