Homan floats pullback of Minneapolis immigration operations after talks with state leaders

NEW YORK (Gray Media) - President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, spoke to reporters in Minneapolis for the first time since he was deployed to the area Monday. His arrival followed a personnel shakeup after federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old protestor Alex Pretti on Saturday.

After meeting with city and state officials this week, Homan said immigration operations in the area could be scaled back—if local leaders cooperate.

“Based on the discussions I’ve had with the governor, and the AG we can start drawing down those resources… so the drawdown is going to happen based on these agreements,” Homan said.

Homan is pushing for federal agents to have greater access to jails so they can take undocumented migrants into custody after arrest, rather than tracking them down if they’re released back into the community. He said the operations are focused on public safety and national security threats, but acknowledged efforts in Minneapolis strayed from that mission.

“Nothing’s ever perfect. Anything can be improved on,” Homan said, adding officials are working to make the operation “safer, more efficient, by the book.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has repeatedly said local police will not enforce federal immigration laws. After two protestors were killed by federal agents, and amid ongoing confrontations and unrest, calls are growing—from Minneapolis to Washington—for an end to the operations.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he’s looking for “a change in behavior on the ground,” not just a shift in tone. Jeffries also called for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to be removed from her position, saying: “She needs to be put on ice permanently. She’s gotta go.”

Homan maintains a drawdown plan is possible, but says he’ll remain in Minneapolis until “the problem is gone.” What exactly that means remains unclear.