White House Border Czar Tom Homan just admitted federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota need “improvements,” even as he announces plans to reduce agent presence.
Story Snapshot
- Tom Homan announces ICE and CBP are developing a “drawdown plan” to reduce federal agent presence in Minnesota, contingent on local jail access and reduced protester hostility
- Homan admits operational “improvements” needed for safety after weeks of tense street operations under “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis
- Cooperation breakthrough with Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz and AG Keith Ellison enables safer jail-based arrests instead of risky street encounters
- Drawdown follows fatal protester shootings and app-based tracking of agents, with Homan demanding rhetoric de-escalation asa condition for federal withdrawal
Federal Enforcement Shift After Admitting Flaws
Tom Homan revealed on January 29, 2026, that ICE and Customs and Border Protection are crafting a “drawdown plan” to reduce their footprint in Minnesota, acknowledging that operations need to be “safer” and more efficient.
Speaking at a press conference with ICE official Marcos Charles and CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, Homan acknowledged “nothing’s ever perfect” but emphasized that his team is working to refine tactics after weeks of heightened enforcement under Operation Metro Surge.
The candid admission underscores the challenges of cleaning up the immigration mess left by Biden’s open-border policies, which Homan claims led to 10 million illegal crossings and 2 million “got-aways.”
Homan: ICE and CBP crafting 'drawdown plan' in Minnesota, admits 'improvements' needed https://t.co/neOOIqbMlR
— CNBC (@CNBC) January 29, 2026
Cooperation Replaces Confrontation in Minneapolis
Homan’s drawdown hinges on unprecedented cooperation from Minnesota’s Democrat-led state and local governments, marking a pragmatic shift from the sanctuary city standoffs that plagued prior administrations.
After meetings earlier in the week with Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and law enforcement leaders, Homan secured agreements granting ICE access to county jails for detaining criminally accused illegal immigrants upon release.
Ellison clarified that jails will now notify federal agents, enabling arrests in controlled environments rather than volatile street operations. Homan praised officials for prioritizing public safety over political posturing, stating “give us access, it’s common sense,” and credited the state prison system for already honoring ICE detainers.
Protester Violence Forces Tactical Reassessment
The operational improvements Homan referenced stem partly from deadly encounters between protesters and federal agents during the surge, including the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Homan previously warned of potential “bloodshed” in March if hostile rhetoric continued, as agitators used apps to track agents in real time across Minneapolis.
The Border Czar made clear that while peaceful protest is acceptable, impediments to law enforcement will not be tolerated, urging dissenters to redirect frustrations toward Congress rather than front-line officers.
The tense environment created “challenging conditions” for agents attempting to apprehend targets with criminal records, forcing street-level arrests that increased risks for everyone involved—a scenario Homan aims to eliminate through jail access agreements.
Drawdown Timeline Tied to Compliance and Targets
Homan emphasized the drawdown will proceed only as cooperation holds and enforcement targets are met, stating he will remain “until the problem’s gone.” The Border Czar reported “a lot of progress” in fewer than three days of negotiations, contrasting with the obstruction that initially necessitated the federal surge.
He plans outreach to business and religious communities to build broader support while maintaining zero tolerance for interference with operations.
The Minnesota model could serve as a blueprint for reducing ICE presence in other Democrat-controlled areas if local leaders prioritize removing dangerous criminals over shielding them. Homan’s takeover from Gregory Bovino signals direct White House oversight to ensure enforcement remains “targeted” and effective.
Biden’s Border Legacy Forces Trump Cleanup
Homan traced Minnesota’s immigration enforcement crisis back to Biden-era policies that he argues fueled the surge of illegal crossings, creating the backlog of criminally accused individuals now targeted under Operation Metro Surge.
The Trump administration’s restored enforcement priorities aim to reverse four years of what conservatives view as deliberate border sabotage, where sanctuary policies emboldened local resistance to ICE detainers.
By securing cooperation from officials like Ellison—previously aligned with restrictive stances—Homan demonstrates that bipartisan consensus on public safety can override partisan divides when communities face tangible consequences.
The drawdown rewards collaboration while reinforcing that federal authority will deploy resources wherever non-cooperation threatens citizen security, a principle conservatives have long championed against government overreach that protects criminals over law-abiding residents.
Sources:
Border czar touts ‘progress,’ cooperation in Minnesota with drawdown plans underway
ICE Minnesota operations Jan 29, 2026
