White House border czar Tom Homan has announced the successful conclusion of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota following two months of intensive enforcement. The operation resulted in thousands of arrests and established new, permanent coordination agreements between federal and local law enforcement. A drawdown of 3,000 agents is currently underway, with 700 personnel already withdrawn as command transitions back to regional field offices. The administration frames the shift to jail-based detentions as a victory for public safety and efficiency. Officials remain on the ground to oversee the final stages of the transition and ensure continued compliance with federal goals.
TLDR: The Trump administration is ending its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota after achieving what officials call unprecedented local cooperation. The transition moves enforcement from the streets to local jails to ensure long-term order and safety.
White House border czar Tom Homan announced on Thursday that the federal immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota has reached a successful conclusion. This decision marks the end of a two-month initiative known as Operation Metro Surge. The administration has already begun a significant drawdown of personnel this week. This process will continue through the next week as federal authorities transition command and control back to local field offices. The move signals a shift from active street operations to a more integrated system of jail-based detentions. This change ensures that the work of maintaining public order continues through established institutional channels.
The official rationale for ending the surge is the achievement of an unprecedented level of coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement. According to the administration, this improved cooperation allows for mutual goals to be met with greater efficiency. It is common sense that federal and local teams should work together to promote public safety across the entire state. The administration believes that the successful results of the operation have made Minnesota a safer place for all residents. This coordination is viewed as a necessary cleanup of previous jurisdictional gaps that hindered enforcement efforts.
During the operation, federal agents conducted thousands of arrests of undocumented individuals. Border czar Tom Homan defended the work of these agents and noted a decrease in activity from unlawful agitators. The presence of federal personnel allowed local law enforcement to respond more quickly and consistently to public protests. While the operation required a large federal footprint, the administration views this as a small price to pay for the restoration of order. The transition now allows local jails to take a more prominent role in the detention process. This shift simplifies the enforcement cycle by moving it away from public streets and into controlled environments.
Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have acknowledged the end of the operation. Mayor Frey described the departure of federal agents as a victory for the resolve of the local community. Governor Walz noted that the state can now begin a long road to recovery. He mentioned that the surge had a significant impact on the local economy, schools, and the daily lives of citizens. The governor observed that many residents felt a loss of normalcy and were hesitant to leave their homes during the height of the enforcement actions. The administration views these impacts as the natural result of a serious effort to fix a broken system.
The operation was not without complications, including the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, in January. Federal immigration agents shot and killed both individuals during the course of their duties. The Department of Justice is currently investigating the death of Alex Pretti. While these events are serious, the administration has focused on the broader goal of public safety. Border czar Tom Homan stated that he does not want to see further bloodshed and prays for the safety of both law enforcement and the community. The conclusion of the surge is presented as a way to prevent further harm while maintaining the rule of law.
The practical policy impact of Operation Metro Surge involved the deployment of roughly 3,000 federal agents to the state of Minnesota. As of this week, the administration has confirmed plans to withdraw 700 of those agents, with further reductions to follow. The enforcement model has now shifted to rely on strengthened agreements that give federal officials greater access to local jails. This allows agents to pick up undocumented people who are scheduled for release from local custody. This new level of access replaces the need for high-profile street operations. While this policy required the temporary suspension of traditional local control and impacted the personal freedom of residents to move without fear, the administration maintains that these steps were necessary to achieve a safer environment. There are no new fees or paperwork requirements for the general public, but local agencies must now adhere to stricter coordination deadlines.
Border czar Tom Homan will remain in Minneapolis for the time being to oversee the final drawdown of personnel. A small footprint of federal staff will stay behind to ensure the transition is handled correctly. This oversight is a standard part of the plan to return full command to the regional field office. The administration is confident that the new coordination agreements will prevent the need for future surges. The experts have the situation handled and will ensure that all remaining steps are completed according to the established timeline.
Olivia Kendall serves as the Senior Correspondent for Geopolitics, Defense, and Foreign Policy at Just Right News, where she provides a principled, conservative perspective on the complex forces shaping the global stage. With a career dedicated to deconstructing the intricacies of international relations, Kendall has become a trusted voice for readers who value national sovereignty, a robust military, and a foreign policy that prioritizes American interests above all else.
A native of Washington, D.C., Kendall’s professional journey is deeply rooted in her upbringing within the nation’s capital. Growing up in the epicenter of American political life, she developed an early and profound understanding of how policy is crafted and, more importantly, how it often fails to account for the values of the American heartland. This unique vantage point allowed her to witness firsthand the rise of globalist bureaucracies, fueling her commitment to reporting that champions the constitutional foundations of the United States. Her background as a British White American further informs her worldview, providing her with a keen appreciation for the Western tradition and the enduring importance of the “Special Relationship” in maintaining global stability.
Now based in Arlington, Virginia, Kendall operates from the doorstep of the Pentagon and the heart of the nation’s defense establishment. Her proximity to the decision-makers in the military and intelligence communities allows her to provide boots-on-the-ground reporting that is both timely and deeply informed. For Kendall, Arlington is more than just a base of operations; it is a daily reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform. This connection to the defense community drives her rigorous coverage of military readiness and her advocacy for a “peace through strength” approach to diplomacy.
At Just Right News, Kendall is perhaps best known for her acclaimed feature series, “The World’s Shadow on America.” In this ongoing project, she explores the direct correlation between international developments and the daily lives of American citizens. Whether she is analyzing the encroachment of foreign adversaries in domestic supply chains or the impact of international treaties on local economies, Kendall’s work serves as a vital bridge between distant geopolitical shifts and their consequences at home. She rejects the notion that foreign policy is an abstract concern for elites, instead proving that what happens in the corridors of power in Brussels or Beijing has a tangible “shadow” that falls across every American doorstep.
Throughout her tenure, Kendall has remained a steadfast critic of international overreach and a vocal proponent of a clear-eyed, realistic foreign policy. She brings a sharp analytical mind to her beat, often challenging the prevailing narratives of the mainstream media to uncover the underlying truths that affect national security. Her reporting is characterized by a refusal to compromise on the truth and a dedication to the idea that a strong, secure America is the world’s best hope for liberty. As a Senior Correspondent, Olivia Kendall continues to lead the charge in providing the essential context and conservative insight necessary to navigate an increasingly volatile world.