<br><br>**Title** Minnesotans Welcome Immigration Enforcement Drawdown but Remain Vigilant<br><br>The Trump administration's drawdown of its immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities area has been met with relief, although state and city officials acknowledge that small businesses and immigrant communities are still reeling from the effects.<br><br>Operation Metro Surge, the Department of Homeland Security's largest immigration enforcement operation ever, saw thousands of officers deployed to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The crackdown faced increasing criticism as tensions escalated, culminating in the shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers. These incidents prompted changes to the operation and sparked widespread condemnation.<br><br>Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, emphasized that the damage would be lasting and called on the federal government to help cover the costs. This unprecedented federal escalation has upended daily life, eroded trust, and inflicted harm on our city, Frey said. Minneapolis taxpayers should not be left to foot the bill for this situation created by the federal government.<br><br>The mayor and other Minneapolis officials outlined the ways in which the crackdown had strained the finances of residents, businesses, and the city itself. The city estimates that small businesses have lost tens of millions of dollars in revenue, while thousands of hotel rooms were cancelled, resulting in an additional $6 million in expenses for staff overtime and street cleanups.<br><br>Furthermore, an estimated tens of thousands of people, including school-age children, are in need of support services such as rent and food assistance. The city officials emphasized that it is the federal government's responsibility to assist in recovery efforts, particularly when its own agencies have contributed to the damage.<br><br>In the aftermath of the announcement, residents held a vigil at a makeshift shrine where Good was shot. Mark Foresman, an attendee from St. Louis Park, expressed skepticism about the agents' departure, citing the Trump administration's track record of creating an atmosphere of distrust. John Schnickel, another attendee, disputed claims that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers or the operation had made Minnesota safer, stating that the agency's actions had only added to the violence.<br><br>The majority of U.S. adults believe that President Trump's immigration policies have gone too far, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. The White House had long accused Minnesota of protecting criminals from deportation through sanctuary laws.<br><br>President Donald Trump softened his tone and dispatched acting Director Homan to reduce tensions after Pretti's killing on January 24. Homan highlighted examples of improved coordination with state and local entities, including increased responsiveness from law enforcement and agreements on how jails handle deportable inmates.<br><br>Minnesota's state prison system and many county jails have long shared information with federal immigration authorities so they can take custody of arrested immigrants. The major exception is the Hennepin County Jail, which serves Minneapolis and doesn't work with immigration authorities unless an arrest warrant has been signed by a judge. Sheriff Dawanna Witt emphasized that no policies had changed.<br><br>Frey reiterated that his position remained unchanged despite Homan's announcement. We do not enforce federal immigration law, period. We do not cooperate with ICE or any agency around enforcement of federal immigration law, period, Frey said.<br><br>Immigration enforcement will continue on a smaller scale, with 700 federal officers leaving Minnesota immediately and more than 2,000 remaining in the state. Homan announced that a significant drawdown was already underway and would continue through next week.<br><br>Todd Lyons, ICE's acting director, stated during a congressional hearing that the agency is still searching for approximately 16,840 people in Minnesota who have final orders of removal.<br><br>The focus on the Twin Cities, which Trump had pushed for partly because of fraud allegations involving Somali residents, followed increased deployments in big cities and small towns run by Democrats. The fallout will continue in Congress and the courts, as the Trump administration seeks to secure votes to prevent Department of Homeland Security funding from expiring at the end of the week, while Democratic lawmakers demand restraints on immigration officers following Good and Pretti's killings.<br><br>Additionally, ongoing federal investigations into Pretti's shooting and deportation cases are proceeding.
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