President Donald Trump said federal immigration agents could use a “softer touch” as his administration began withdrawing hundreds of officers from Minnesota following protests and public scrutiny over a major enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
The shift comes as about a quarter of the federal immigration force in the region is being pulled back. Border enforcement chief Tom Homan said roughly 700 agents would be withdrawn from the Minneapolis area, leaving about 2,000 in place. Homan said the goal is to return the federal presence to levels seen before Operation Metro Surge began in December.
Trump, speaking in an interview with NBC News, adopted an unusually conciliatory tone on immigration enforcement, while insisting the administration remains focused on targeting criminals.
The drawdown follows intense backlash after two American citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were fatally shot last month during confrontations with federal officers. Trump said he was not satisfied with what happened and called the incidents tragic.
Operation Metro Surge has also sparked outrage over the detention of a five-year-old boy, Liam Ramos, who was swept up in the enforcement effort alongside his Ecuadorean migrant father. A judge ordered their release over the weekend.
Homan defended the operation, saying agents had arrested individuals accused of serious crimes, including 14 charged with homicide, 139 with assault, 87 sex offenders and 28 gang members. He acknowledged the effort was not perfect but said it has become more streamlined under a unified chain of command.
Homan also announced that providing body-worn cameras to officers in Minneapolis is now a priority, with plans to expand the use of the equipment nationwide.
The federal pullback, Homan said, was prompted in part by what he described as unprecedented cooperation from state and local officials in Minnesota. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz welcomed the announcement but called for a faster and larger reduction, state-led investigations into the deaths of Pretti and Good, and an end to what he described as a campaign of retribution.
The Minnesota operation has also drawn attention within the Justice Department. A government lawyer involved in related court proceedings was removed from her role after complaining about the strain of the work during a hearing, according to reports.
Meanwhile, the White House has sought to project unity amid speculation of tensions between Trump and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Miller as loyal and hardworking, even as reports suggested Trump may be uncomfortable with the direction of some enforcement efforts.
Source: BBC