Donald Trump agrees to end ICE operation in Minnesota

Donald Trump's deportation drive in Minnesota will draw to a close, according to the president's border czar.

Tom Homan, who's leading the White House's anti-immigration campaign, said the administration had agreed to end Operation Metro Surge.

The operation saw 3,000 armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents dispatched to the state, particularly its biggest city, Minneapolis.

"As a result of our efforts here, Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals," Mr Homan told a press conference.

"I ​have proposed and ​President Trump has ⁠concurred that this surge operation conclude."

Last week, Mr Homan had initially announced more than 700 ICE agents would leave the state after local officials agreed to hand over arrested immigrants.

Launched on 1 December, the operation led to the arrest of more than 4,000 people, federal authorities said.

But the action has proved controversial. ICE agents, usually dressed in face masks and military-style camouflage gear, have repeatedly ⁠drawn angry demonstrations from residents.

Some protests have turned violent, with two protesters killed during confrontations.

Renee Nicole Good, 37, a mother-of-three, was shot dead in her car by an ICE agent early in January, purportedly in self-defence.

Also last month, Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, was wrestled to the floor by federal agents and shot multiple times in Minneapolis.

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Following Mr Homan's announcement, Democratic governor Tim Walz posted his reaction on social media: "The long road to recovery starts now".

"The impact on our economy, our schools, and people's lives won't be reversed overnight. That work starts today," he added.

The ​deportation sweeps have been strongly ​opposed by Mr Walz, and other elected officials in the ⁠state.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said on Instagram: "They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbours and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation."

But Mr Homan also pledged that immigration enforcement will not end when the Minnesota operation is over.

The chief federal judge in Minnesota has reprimanded Trump administration officials, saying ICE has defied dozens ⁠of court orders to free wrongly arrested migrants.

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(c) Sky News 2026: Donald Trump agrees to end ICE operation in Minnesota