After ICE Drawdown, Twin Cities Face Lingering Impact of Immigration Surge

Sat Feb 14 2026 00:58:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent reduction of ICE operations in the Twin Cities brings relief but leaves questions about the ongoing effects on local communities and the economy.

The Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota has officially ended, but state officials and residents express concerns over its lasting impact on the economy and immigrant communities. Despite apparent improvements in coordination leading to the drawdown, many are left skeptical about the overall safety and trust in government following the controversial operations and recent violent incidents involving federal officers.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Trump administration’s drawdown of its immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities area has been met with relief, but state officials and residents say its effects on Minnesota’s economy and immigrant communities will linger.

Thousands of officers were sent to the Minneapolis and St. Paul area for Operation Metro Surge, which the Department of Homeland Security called its “ largest immigration enforcement operation ever ” and touted as a success. However, President Donald Trump’s enforcement campaign faced increasing criticism and pushback as tensions escalated.

The shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers drew condemnation and raised questions over conduct, prompting changes to the operation.

Despite the announced end to the surge, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz urged Minnesotans to remain vigilant.

Drawdown after improved coordination

Border czar Tom Homan disclosed that the drawdown was facilitated by extensive engagement with state and local officials.

Trump dispatched Homan to de-escalate tensions subsequent to the Jan. 24 killing of Pretti, emphasizing that a drawdown was contingent on cooperation from local law enforcement.

That cooperation was evident, especially regarding the handling of deportable inmates by local jails, as noted by Homan.

He announced last week that while 700 federal officers would leave Minnesota immediately, more than 2,000 would remain, continuing targeted enforcement operations.

Residents are still grappling with the impact of the operation. Many remain skeptical of whether the federal presence will truly diminish. As John Schnickel, a local attendee put it, “I don’t even want one ICE person here, if they act the way they’ve been acting.”

Amidst the shifting operations, the pervasive atmosphere of distrust towards government actions lingers among residents. Anna Van Sice, another local, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We don’t have a lot, or any trust in the government right now.”