The U.S. government has ordered the immediate withdrawal of 700 federal immigration agents from Minnesota and Minneapolis, a move signaling a shift in immigration enforcement strategy in the region. The decision, announced on February 4th, follows the deployment of over 3,000 agents during “Operation Metro Surge” and a period of social tension related to immigration policies, according to BBC News.
Shifting Enforcement Strategies
The withdrawal impacts personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol. Authorities state the redeployment is a direct result of “unprecedented collaboration” with state and local governments, who will now deliver detainees without legal status directly to federal agents, reducing the need for street-level operations, as reported by BBC News.
Operation Metro Surge, initiated in December 2025, involved the mobilization of more than 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents to Minnesota, as detailed by The New York Times. Prior to the operation, only 150 federal agents were stationed in the region, while the Minneapolis Police Department consists of approximately 600 officers, according to NBC News.
Context of Tension and Protest
The operation unfolded against a backdrop of protests and unrest related to immigration policy, and a need to reinforce controls amid political and social tensions. During the operation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported the detention of approximately 3,000 individuals in the country illegally, including 14 accused of homicide, 139 of assault, 87 for sex crimes, and 28 suspected gang members, according to NBC News.
The intervention was also marked by the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during incidents involving federal agents. These events sparked protests and calls for a review of safety protocols and a de-escalation of the federal presence, as reported by The New York Times.
What’s Next?
With approximately 2,000 agents remaining, the federal government intends to continue a phased withdrawal, eventually returning to pre-Operation Metro Surge levels of 150 agents, according to The New York Times. The new strategy emphasizes direct custody transfers of individuals lacking legal status from local authorities to federal agents. This could lead to a decrease in visible federal patrols but does not necessarily indicate a reduction in overall enforcement activity.
The implementation of mandatory body cameras for all federal agents in Minnesota, with plans for national expansion, aims to increase transparency and accountability. The creation of a unified command structure integrating ICE and Border Patrol agents is also intended to improve coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the withdrawal of federal agents?
The withdrawal was prompted by an “unprecedented level of collaboration” between federal, state, and local authorities, according to BBC News. Local authorities will now deliver detainees without legal status directly to federal agents.
How many federal agents will remain in Minnesota?
Approximately 2,000 federal agents will remain in the region, with a plan to eventually reduce the number to 150, the level prior to Operation Metro Surge, as reported by The New York Times.
What changes have been made to federal protocols during this operation?
The government has implemented mandatory body cameras for all federal agents in Minnesota and created a unified command structure for ICE and Border Patrol agents, according to POLITICO.
As Minnesota adjusts to this new approach to immigration enforcement, will the increased collaboration between agencies prove effective in balancing security concerns with community needs?
