Walz Expects 'Recovery' Phase After ICE Surge in Minnesota

Governor says state is preparing to move past recent immigration enforcement actions.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he expects the state to soon enter a 'recovery' phase following a recent surge in ICE enforcement actions. Walz said he has had discussions with White House and border officials that lead him to believe a drawdown of federal immigration operations could happen within days. Meanwhile, other incidents related to immigration enforcement have occurred, including a fatal police shooting in Duluth and a chaotic arrest at the Hennepin County Courthouse.

Why it matters

The increased federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota have caused significant disruption and raised concerns among the state's legal and immigrant communities. Walz's comments suggest the state may be nearing a transition period as it looks to recover from the impacts of the ICE surge.

The details

According to reports, Walz said recent talks with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and border official Tom Homan led him to believe a major drawdown of federal immigration operations in Minnesota could be announced within the week. Walz said the state is preparing to move into a 'recovery' phase. Separately, deputies in Duluth fatally shot a man during an attempted traffic stop, while plainclothes federal agents made a chaotic arrest at the Hennepin County Courthouse. Indigenous activists have also set up a prayer camp near a federal building to protest immigration detention.

  • On Tuesday, Governor Walz made comments about an expected 'recovery' phase.
  • In recent weeks, there has been an increase in federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.

The players

Tim Walz

The Governor of Minnesota who expects the state to soon enter a 'recovery' phase following a recent surge in ICE enforcement actions.

Susie Wiles

The White House Chief of Staff with whom Walz has had discussions about the expected drawdown of federal immigration operations in Minnesota.

Tom Homan

A top border official who Walz has also spoken with about the expected reduction in federal immigration enforcement in the state.

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What they’re saying

“Recent discussions with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and top border official Tom Homan led him to believe a bigger drawdown could be just days away.”

— Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota (MPR News)

What’s next

Walz said he hopes Homan will make an announcement about the drawdown of federal immigration operations in Minnesota by the end of the week.

The takeaway

The expected transition to a 'recovery' phase in Minnesota following the recent ICE surge suggests the state may be nearing a period of reduced federal immigration enforcement actions, which have caused significant disruption and raised concerns among local communities.