Tom Homan told CNN the ICE surge in Minneapolis is over and the agency intends to reduce its footprint to about 150 agents "within a week," while keeping a small security detail temporarily. Investigators probing alleged widespread fraud will remain until their work concludes. Homan said the operation improved public safety through close coordination with state sheriffs and local police, and he noted that he recommended ending the surge with President Trump concurring.
Tom Homan: ICE Surge In Minneapolis Is Over; Presence To Shrink To About 150 Agents Within A Week
White House border czar Tom Homan deployed to Minnesota on Jan. 26, 2026, to run point on the immigration crackdown in the state.(Getty Images)
Tom Homan, the federal "border czar," told CNN correspondent Sara Sidner that the recent ICE surge in Minneapolis is "over" and that the agency plans to reduce its operational footprint to roughly 150 agents "within a week." Homan framed the drawdown as a return to a regular staffing level while maintaining a limited security posture as needed.
During the "CNN News Central" interview, Sidner asked for specifics: "Where are we? How many officers have left? How many are still there and how long will they stay?" Homan said he did not have an exact headcount available but outlined the agency's plans going forward.
Planned Drawdown With Caveats
"My plan is to get back to the regular footprint, which is 150, but with a couple of caveats," Homan said. He added that a small team of security forces would remain temporarily to back up ICE agents "in case things get out of hand," and that those forces would be withdrawn if local law enforcement continues to meet its response commitments.
Investigations To Continue
Homan confirmed that investigators probing alleged widespread fraud in Minneapolis will remain in place "until the investigations are over," even as the broader enforcement surge is scaled back.
White House border czar Tom Homan speaks during a press conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Feb. 4, 2026.
On The Operation’s Effectiveness
Asked why he described the Minneapolis operation as "a great success" despite opposition from some city leaders and residents, Homan said the effort improved public safety. He said coordination with an "unprecedented number of sheriffs" and commitments from local police reduced public safety threats and made the community safer.
Homan also said state officials honored detainers for people in the state prison system and that, after a meeting with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minneapolis police helped remove illegal roadblocks set up by agitators. He emphasized that many sheriffs and police chiefs pledged to respond to public-safety incidents related to enforcement activity.
Previous Remarks And Official Position
At a news conference last week at the Bishop Whipple Federal Courthouse in Minneapolis, Homan said the operation had reduced public-safety threats thanks to "unprecedented levels of coordination" with state and local officials. "As a result of our efforts here, Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals," he said. Homan added that he had proposed ending the surge and that President Trump agreed.
Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed reporting to the original coverage.
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