(Minneapolis, January 29, 2026) –
Top immigration official Tom Homan indicated a potential shift in enforcement operations in Minnesota following the killings of two U.S.citizens by federal agents, while maintaining the Trump management’s commitment to cracking down on undocumented migrants.
- Tom Homan,sent by President Trump to Minnesota,suggested increased cooperation with local officials.
- Homan placed blame for recent escalations on the Biden administration and local policies.
- Two border patrol officers involved in the killing of Alex Pretti have been placed on administrative leave.
tom Homan, described as President Donald Trump’s “border czar,” on Thursday signaled a possible change in immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota, but reaffirmed the administration’s focus on detaining undocumented migrants. “We’ve been targeted what we’ve done for decades,” Homan said. “When we hit the streets, we know exactly who we’re looking for.”
Immigration observers have noted that the administration has increasingly employed broad strategies in an attempt to meet high detention quotas, despite Homan’s portrayal of a focused approach. State and local law enforcement officials reported last week that numerous off-duty officers, all people of color, were randomly stopped and asked for identification.
While Trump campaigned on targeting only “criminals,” a white House spokesperson stated shortly after taking office that anyone in the country without documentation was considered to have committed a crime.
Homan stated he woudl continue meetings with state and local officials, citing early “progress.” He highlighted a discussion with State Attorney General Keith Ellison, in which he “clarified for me that county jails may notify ICE of the release dates of criminal public safety risk so ICE can take custody.”
It remains unclear whether this represents a formal policy shift. Minnesota has no laws explicitly prohibiting cooperation between local authorities and ICE, and state prisons have a history of coordinating with immigration officials on cases involving convicted criminals. County jails typically make such decisions at their discretion.
Homan indicated that increased cooperation could allow “us to draw down on the number of people we have here,” adding that ICE and border patrol staff were developing plans for a potential reduction in personnel.
Homan replaced Greg Bovino, the top border patrol official sent to Minnesota as part of a large-scale enforcement operation that has sparked widespread protests.
Homan did not directly address the killings, but said, “no agency or organisation is perfect.”
“President Trump and I, along with others in administration, have recognised that certain improvements could and should be made. That’s exactly what I’m doing here,” he said.
“I want to make it clear ICE and [border patrol] officers are performing their duties in a challenging habitat, under tremendous circumstances,” he said. “They’re trying to do it with professionalism. If they don’t, they’ll be dealt with. Like any other federal agency, we have standards of conduct.”
Local officials continue to call for self-reliant state investigations into the killings of Good and Pretti, which have been blocked by the administration. the Trump administration announced earlier this week that two border patrol officers involved in Pretti’s killing had been placed on administrative leave.
“I’m staying until the problem’s gone,” Homan said, signaling a continued federal presence in Minnesota despite calls for de-escalation.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by Al Jazeera and added independent analysis and context.
