ICE's Tom Homan Addresses Immigration Enforcement Strategy in Minnesota

Tue Feb 03 2026 17:00:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following recent protests and a tragic incident that led to the death of a protester, Tom Homan, President Trump’s immigration czar, discusses changes to ICE's operations in Minnesota, emphasizing cooperation with local officials.

In a press conference held in Minneapolis, Tom Homan, the immigration czar for the Trump administration, announced that any reduction of ICE officers in Minnesota would depend on cooperation from state officials. He addressed the need for jails to notify ICE regarding individuals eligible for removal from the country and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards violence against law enforcement, referencing the recent fatal shooting of a protester. Homan expressed a commitment to conducting targeted operations focused on public safety threats and indicated that he would remain in Minnesota until the current issues are resolved.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a significant development regarding immigration enforcement, Tom Homan, who serves as President Trump’s border czar, addressed reporters on Thursday in Minneapolis concerning the recent protests and the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the state. Homan stated that any reduction in the number of ICE officers deployed would solely depend on the levels of cooperation from local state officials.

His remarks come in the wake of a tragic incident where a federal immigration officer fatally shot a protester, igniting a strong response from the community. Homan reiterated a firm stance against any form of violence against law enforcement officers, vowing to uphold a policy of zero tolerance for those who assault his officers or obstruct their duties.

“Give us access to illegal aliens, public safety threats in the safety and security of a jail,” Homan demanded, emphasizing the importance of local jails notifying ICE about individuals in their custody that are eligible for deportation. He argued that transferring immigrants to ICE while they are still in custody improves safety for officers and reduces their need to patrol the streets searching for undocumented individuals.

Homan acknowledged that immigration enforcement operations have faced challenges in Minnesota but expressed a steadfast commitment to the administration’s mission in enforcing immigration laws. He hinted at a renewed focus on targeted strategic enforcement operations, with priorities on apprehending undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.

Additionally, Homan characterized protesters as agitators and emphasized his discontent towards actions meant to disrupt law enforcement. When asked about his timeline in Minnesota, he indicated a commitment to remain until the relevant issues are fully addressed, stating, I'm staying until the problem's gone. Homan concluded by mentioning his efforts to collaborate and engage with local elected officials and law enforcement leaders, suggesting that progress is being made.