Trump Administration to Withdraw 700 Federal Officers From Minnesota, Says Tom Homan

 

The Trump administration has announced plans to withdraw approximately 700 federal immigration officers from Minnesota, a move that has sparked debate across political, legal, and community circles. The announcement was made by Tom Homan, the administration’s top immigration enforcement official, often referred to as the “border czar.”

The decision represents a significant shift in federal enforcement posture in the state, coming amid renewed national scrutiny of immigration policy, federal-state cooperation, and the political climate surrounding the 2026 election cycle.

While administration officials insist that the move does not signal a reduction in immigration enforcement overall, critics argue it may have far-reaching implications for public safety, immigrant communities, and federal authority.

According to Homan, the 700 officers being withdrawn are primarily federal immigration enforcement personnel, including agents affiliated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite the pullback, federal authorities will still maintain approximately 2,000 officers across Minnesota, a figure Homan says is sufficient to continue targeted enforcement operations.

“This is not a retreat,” Homan said during a media briefing. “This is a realignment based on cooperation, effectiveness, and priorities.”

Administration officials emphasized that the withdrawal reflects improved coordination with local and county law enforcement, particularly through jail cooperation agreements that allow federal authorities to detain individuals already in custody.

Minnesota has long occupied a complex position in federal immigration enforcement debates.

The state hosts one of the largest Somali and East African immigrant populations in the United States, alongside sizable Latino, Hmong, and Ethiopian communities. Over the past decade, state and city governments — particularly in Minneapolis and St. Paul — have adopted policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, often referred to by critics as “sanctuary-style” measures.

These policies have frequently put Minnesota at odds with Republican-led administrations seeking stricter enforcement.

Homan suggested that the drawdown reflects practical considerations rather than political concessions, noting that federal resources are being redirected to areas deemed more operationally urgent.