By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• White House border czar Tom Homan said the number of federal immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota could be reduced if state and local officials increase cooperation, officials said.
• Homan spoke at a news conference in Minneapolis Jan. 29, his first briefing since being sent to the state amid tensions over federal immigration operations.
• He linked the timing of any drawdown to reduced interference from protesters and improved local coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Minnesota officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have discussed cooperation but no formal reduction plan has been announced.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — White House border czar Tom Homan indicated Thursday that the Trump administration might reduce the number of federal immigration enforcement officers deployed in Minnesota, but said such a drawdown would depend on state and local cooperation.
Adam Gray/AP
Homan spoke at a press conference in Minneapolis — his first since being sent to the state amid heightened tensions over federal immigration operations following multiple protests and two recent fatal shootings tied to enforcement activity.
He said cooperation from state and local officials, particularly regarding access to jails and prisons to facilitate transfers of individuals eligible for deportation, would allow federal agents to focus on “targeted strategic enforcement operations.”
Homan reiterated that the administration’s broader immigration enforcement mission would continue and said he has zero tolerance for protesters who assault or impede federal officers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described any reduction of federal officers as a step forward but emphasized that the operation’s continuation remains a concern for local officials.
Homan did not provide a specific timeline for a potential drawdown and said he would remain in Minnesota until conditions improve.