Donald Trump's envoy assured that the federal deployment in Minneapolis will continue until the violence decreases

White House border czar Tom Homan speaks during a news conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 29, 2026. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Donald Trump's immigration chief confirmed that the presence of agents in the Twin Cities will be maintained if violent incidents and lack of cooperation from local authorities persist after new deaths during raids.

The deployment of more than 3,000 federal agents in Minnesota for immigration raids could be reduced, as long as state and local authorities collaborate with the federal government, according to Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's immigration policy chief. Homan commented at a press conference that his team maintains a “zero tolerance” policy toward protesters who interfere with or assault officers during operations in the Twin Cities.

The official, sent to Minneapolis after the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti, acknowledged errors in federal action, although he stressed that “nothing is ever perfect” and defended that the administration will not give up its mission to control illegal immigration. Man insisted that the troop reduction will be subject to the cooperation of state and local leaders, as well as a decrease in violence and interference from protesters. “When violence decreases, we can reduce resources,” he said.

Tear gas is dispersed as federal agents hold a man, as immigration enforcement continues after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7 during an immigration raid, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 21, 2026. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Tension in Minneapolis and St. Paul remains high after the deaths of two citizens in January at the hands of federal agents: Alex Pretti, 37, died on Saturday during an altercation with the Border Patrol, while Renee Good, also 37, was shot to death on January 7 by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The officers involved in Pretti's death have been suspended in what authorities describe as standard procedure.

Homan explained that greater cooperation by local jails in alerting ICE about deportable inmates would facilitate safer operations by reducing the need to search for immigrants on the streets. The official reiterated the agency's preference for “targeted strategic control operations,” focused on individuals with criminal histories and considered threats to public safety.

During his first days on the ground, Homan met with Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey to discuss the redeployment of deployed officers. The border czar insisted that the cash withdrawal will depend “on cooperation” and warned that attempts to impede the work of ICE and other agencies will not be tolerated. Homan stressed that all the agency's activities have been in compliance with the law and that its operations are designed with precise information about the objectives.

Despite Trump's apparent willingness to ease tensions, he again criticized Mayor Frey on Wednesday for his refusal to enforce federal immigration laws. Frey responded that the local police's priority is to prevent homicides and not participate in the persecution of immigrants.

The federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis has sparked ongoing protests, with vigils at the sites where Nicole Good and Alex Pretti died. Various social organizations have called for a “national day without classes, without work and without shopping” for this Friday in rejection of Trump's immigration policy in the city.

At the judicial level, a federal judge in Minnesota temporarily blocked the detention of refugees without permanent resident status, while another judge noted that ICE “has probably violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”

In the face of growing tensions and political pressure, Homan assured that the mission will continue and that the government will try to “carry out smarter operations” and sanction agents who do not respect protocols. The official also announced that he will maintain dialogue with local and community leaders to reach agreements that allow the progressive reduction of federal troops.

(With information from AFP, EFE and AP)