Minnesota residents are cautiously reacting to news that the Trump administration will withdraw 700 federal immigration agents from the Twin Cities, a fraction of the more than 3,000 officers deployed over the past two months. While federal officials framed the move as a step toward de-escalation, locals say it barely scratches the surface.
Via NBC, white House border czar Tom Homan announced the withdrawal Wednesday, calling it part of a plan to “achieve a complete drawdown” in Minneapolis. Over the past eight weeks, Operation Metro Surge has brought more than 3,000 federal immigration agents into the city, which is roughly five times the size of Minneapolis’ local police force. The operation has resulted in approximately 3,000 arrests and was marred by two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens that sparked national outrage.
Homan emphasized that a full removal would be contingent on the progress of the enforcement operation and that one line of command will now oversee federal agents in the city. Yet the announcement prompted immediate skepticism among Minnesotans, many of whom have documented the heavy-handed presence of ICE and Border Patrol in their communities.
“That’s not enough. 2300 short.”
Over on Reddit, Minnesota residents expressed frustration that the reduction is too small to make a meaningful difference.
“2300 agents is still a lot of agents terrorizing the state … if those 700 actually leave.”
Critics also questioned the administration’s framing of the withdrawal as a “win,” pointing out that local law enforcement and correctional systems have long managed custody of undocumented individuals. “Lying sack of *expletive*. This was always happening. Nothing changed,” wrote a commenter, reflecting widespread distrust of federal messaging.
Others zeroed in on claims about new policies like body cameras for ICE agents, noting that selective footage releases do little to protect residents. “Body cams, when DHS chooses what footage to release and when, is no victory,” one user wrote.
Despite the partial drawdown, Minnesota citizens remain on edge. Protesters and community members who have confronted ICE in recent weeks view the withdrawal as too little, too late.
“You can just leave. Pack up and let the agents return home. Every second the agents are still in the state proves Homan is a liar.”
The partial reduction comes amid a mix of political posturing and public pressure. While Trump publicly called for de-escalation following the fatal shootings, other administration figures, including Stephen Bannon, have advocated for continued aggression. The tension between political optics and operational reality has left Minnesotans questioning whether the federal government will ever fully account for its presence in their city.
For now, the announcement is a small symbolic victory in a months-long standoff, but residents warn that the vast majority of federal agents remain in place, enforcing policies that have already reshaped communities.
