US Border Czar Announces Shift in Minneapolis Immigration Tactics
Tom Homan, the newly appointed commander of President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis, declared on Thursday that federal agents would transition from broad street sweeps to more targeted operations. This strategic shift comes in response to widespread public outrage over previous enforcement methods that involved random stops and checks.
New Focus on Targeted Enforcement
During his first public remarks since arriving in the city on Monday, Homan emphasized that agents would now prioritize immigrants with criminal records or those posing threats to public safety and national security. "We can do better," he acknowledged at a press conference, marking a rare admission from a Trump administration official that the operation needed improvement.
Homan revealed he would consider reducing the 3,000-strong force deployed to Minneapolis if he received "cooperation" from state and local leaders. He noted productive meetings with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both vocal critics of the federal surge.
Internal Directive Changes Enforcement Protocols
Newly issued internal guidance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement directs federal officers to:
- Refrain from unnecessary communication with "agitators" to avoid escalating situations
- Focus specifically on immigrants with criminal charges or convictions
- Move away from random street stops demanding proof of legal residence
"We're not surrendering our mission at all, we're just doing it smarter," Homan stated, while maintaining the administration's commitment to deporting immigrants living in the country illegally.
Political Tensions and Violent Incidents
The announcement comes amid heightened political tensions in Minneapolis, underscored by several violent incidents:
- Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar was assaulted with apple cider vinegar during a town hall meeting
- Federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens - Renee Good and Alex Pretti - sparking widespread protests
- Administration officials initially defended the shootings and labeled both victims as "domestic terrorists"
Details Emerge About Agent Involved in Shooting
Paul Perez, president of the National Border Patrol Council, revealed that the border agent involved in Pretti's shooting had approximately eight years of experience with extensive training in:
- Use-of-force protocols
- Firearms handling
- Crowd-control techniques in border contexts
"This wasn't a rookie agent that was out there, this was a seasoned agent," Perez emphasized, though he declined to identify the agent for safety reasons.
New Evidence in Pretti Case
Recently verified videos show Pretti had a physical confrontation with federal agents eleven days before his death. The footage reveals:
- Pretti cursing, shouting, and spitting at a federal vehicle
- Him kicking and shattering a taillight as the vehicle attempted to leave
- Agents pushing Pretti to the ground before eventually releasing him
- A visible firearm tucked into Pretti's waistband during the encounter
Videos of the fatal shooting show an agent removing a gun from Pretti's waistband after he was restrained, moments before another officer fired the first shot into his back. Pretti held a legal license to carry a concealed weapon.
Homan concluded his remarks by promising "massive changes" in Minneapolis enforcement operations, while continuing to push for greater ICE access to Minnesota jails to facilitate targeted apprehensions of immigrants upon their release from local custody.
