Minnesota Sheriff Faces Tough Choice on Immigration Crackdown

Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt grapples with pressure from both sides as Trump administration ramps up deportation efforts

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Sheriff Dawanna Witt of Hennepin County, Minnesota finds herself in a difficult position as the Trump administration's immigration crackdown intensifies in the state. As the only sheriff in Minnesota who refuses to assist federal immigration authorities, Witt is facing pressure from both her constituents and the federal government to change her policy. She is considering options that could satisfy the White House, such as transferring immigrants facing serious charges to other jails or providing ICE with information about violent offenders. However, Witt is concerned about enabling the deportation of people with minor offenses and depriving victims of serious crimes their day in court. The political dilemma has consumed much of Witt's time as she tries to balance public safety with her community's values.

Why it matters

The showdown over immigration enforcement in Minnesota highlights the complex role local law enforcement plays in the broader national debate. Sheriff Witt's decision could have significant political and public safety implications, both for her re-election campaign and for the residents of Hennepin County. Her stance on cooperating with federal immigration authorities has made her a central figure in the clash between the Trump administration and elected Democrats in Minnesota.

The details

Sheriff Witt runs the largest jail in Minnesota, which has a policy of refusing to assist federal immigration enforcement. This approach is supported by her constituents, but has put her at odds with the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration. The Department of Justice has sued Witt, arguing her jail's policy unlawfully obstructs federal law enforcement. At the same time, Witt's own constituents have flooded her with angry messages, some threatening, over the role her deputies have played in protecting a federal building at the center of the immigration operation.

  • In early December, the Department of Homeland Security launched 'Operation Metro Surge', an intensified immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
  • Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced it would start withdrawing 700 federal agents from Minnesota, leaving behind about 2,000.

The players

Dawanna Witt

The sheriff of Hennepin County, Minnesota, who runs the largest jail in the state and has a policy of refusing to assist federal immigration enforcement.

Tom Homan

The White House border czar who has been newly assigned to oversee the immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

Dave Hutchinson

Witt's predecessor as Hennepin County sheriff, who removed ICE from the county jail and ended the practice of sharing information with the agency after taking office in 2019.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who has said immigration enforcement in Minnesota will continue to be 'tough' until local officials provide broader access to immigrants in custody.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, which has been at the center of the crackdown in Minnesota.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think that Donald Trump or Tom Homan are going to leave without feeling like they have some sort of win. I don't ever want to be put in a position that I had the power to make them leave and another one of our citizens gets killed.”

— Dawanna Witt, Sheriff of Hennepin County (New York Times)

“We are waiting for them to release prisoners.”

— Donald Trump (NBC News)

What’s next

The judge in the case filed by the Department of Justice against Sheriff Witt will decide on Tuesday whether to allow her to continue the jail's policy of refusing to assist federal immigration enforcement.

The takeaway

Sheriff Witt's dilemma highlights the complex role local law enforcement plays in the national debate over immigration. Her decision on whether to cooperate with federal authorities could have significant political and public safety implications for Hennepin County, as she tries to balance the demands of her constituents with the pressure from the Trump administration.