ISLAMABAD: US Border Czar Tom Homan has officially announced the termination of the high-profile immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, known as Operation Metro Surge, with President Donald Trump concurring in the decision.
The announcement marks the conclusion of a two-month intensive crackdown that began in December 2025 and drew widespread national attention due to its scale and consequences.
Operation Metro Surge was launched by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of the broader push to enforce immigration laws rigorously in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Federal authorities described it as the largest such operation ever undertaken, targeting individuals deemed public safety threats and other priority immigration violators.
Homan stated that the operation achieved significant successes, including the arrest of more than 4,000 individuals during its duration.
He highlighted the unprecedented level of cooperation between federal agents, state authorities, and local law enforcement agencies, which contributed to improved outcomes in enforcement efforts.
This enhanced coordination, according to Homan, included greater willingness from local jails to notify ICE about release dates of targeted individuals and increased state-level actions against public safety threats.
The decision to end the surge followed a proposal from Homan himself, which received approval from President Trump.
A significant drawdown of federal immigration agents has already commenced, with more than 1,000 agents departing the Twin Cities area and hundreds more expected to leave in the coming days.
Reports indicate that 700 federal officers were initially slated for immediate withdrawal, leaving a reduced presence to maintain ongoing enforcement.
Homan emphasized that immigration enforcement would not cease entirely in Minnesota, with a smaller contingent of agents remaining to handle residual priorities and investigations.
He further noted that a small security force would stay temporarily to protect remaining agents, particularly in scenarios involving potential public disruptions or threats during operations.
The operation faced intense scrutiny and criticism following two fatal shootings involving federal agents and US citizens in January 2026.
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old US citizen and mother, was shot and killed by an ICE agent on January 7 during an encounter in Minneapolis.
The incident sparked immediate outrage, with bystander videos challenging official accounts of the event and leading to homicide rulings by medical examiners.
Subsequently, on January 24, Alex Pretti, also a 37-year-old US citizen and intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Hospital, was fatally shot by federal agents during an enforcement action.
These deaths fueled mass protests across Minnesota, renewed calls for accountability, and heightened political backlash against the tactics employed.
The killings prompted investigations, though federal jurisdiction limited state access to evidence in some cases.
Homan assumed direct oversight of the operation in late January following the second incident, replacing earlier leadership amid growing concerns.
The end of Operation Metro Surge comes as the Trump administration redirects focus toward other sanctuary cities, with Homan indicating potential future deployments based on local cooperation levels.
He suggested that the Minnesota experience could serve as a model or deterrent for jurisdictions resisting federal immigration enforcement.
Despite the drawdown, mass deportations are expected to continue nationwide under the administration’s policies.
The operation’s conclusion reflects a strategic adjustment, balancing enforcement achievements with operational sustainability and public response.
Observers note that while arrests reached substantial numbers, the controversies surrounding civilian deaths have influenced the timeline for winding down intensified activities in the state.
Federal officials maintain that the surge successfully reduced priority targets and strengthened inter-agency partnerships for future efforts.