Trump Administration Ends Controversial Minnesota Immigration Surge to Pivot Resources
Minneapolis, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
After a polarizing campaign yielding over 3,000 arrests and two civilian fatalities, federal authorities are terminating Minnesota’s Operation Metro Surge to redeploy resources toward border enforcement.
Operational Shift and Strategic Rationale
On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Tom Homan, serving as the Trump administration’s “border czar,” formally announced the conclusion of the federal enforcement campaign known as Operation Metro Surge [1]. While a “small footprint” of personnel will remain to transition command back to local field offices, the majority of the thousands of agents deployed are being reassigned to fulfill President Trump’s campaign promises regarding border security and mass deportations [1][4]. Homan described the decision as a strategic pivot, noting that a “significant drawdown” began earlier this week and will continue through the following week [1]. The administration justifies this withdrawal by citing “unprecedented levels of coordination” from state and local law enforcement and a reduction in “unlawful agitator activity” [4]. Homan claimed the operation was a success, asserting that federal forces are “leaving Minnesota safer” having secured cooperation from jails to arrest “criminal aliens” at the time of their release [3].
A Legacy of Conflict and Enforcement
Launched in December 2025 by the Department of Homeland Security, the operation was described as the “largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out” [5]. The surge resulted in thousands of arrests; while earlier reports cited 3,000 apprehensions [5], Homan stated on Thursday that there were more than 4,000 arrests throughout the operation [3]. The campaign was marked by severe friction, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renée Good and Alex Pretti, by federal agents in January 2026 [3][4]. These incidents led to the replacement of former Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino with Homan on January 26, 2026 [5]. Prior to the full termination announced today, the administration had already initiated a partial withdrawal on February 4, 2026, ordering the removal of 700 of the estimated 3,000 agents stationed in the Twin Cities [4]. This initial reduction represented approximately 23.333 percent of the deployed force.
Local Fallout and the Path Forward
Minnesota’s Democratic leadership has responded with relief and sharp criticism of the federal intervention. Governor Tim Walz declared on Thursday that the state’s “long road to recovery starts now,” emphasizing that the economic and social impacts would not be reversed overnight [3]. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey characterized the operation as “catastrophic” for local businesses and neighbors, signaling a desire for the city to stage a “great comeback” now that the surge is concluding [3]. As the Trump administration shifts its focus back to the southern border, the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge marks a significant de-escalation in the tension between Washington and Minnesota. However, with over 200 protesters arrested during the campaign and ongoing legal challenges regarding the conduct of federal agents [4][5], the political and social reverberations of this enforcement action are likely to persist well beyond the departure of federal troops.