Immigration Enforcement Surge Ends in Minnesota

State officials and residents say the effects of the crackdown will linger

Feb. 13, 2026 at 7:39pm

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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 be lasting. Thousands of federal 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.' The operation came under criticism after the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal officers, prompting changes. Despite the announced end to the surge, Minnesota's governor urged residents to remain vigilant, saying the damage would be generational.

Why it matters

The immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota sparked outrage and concerns over officers' conduct, leading to changes in the operation. While the surge is ending, the impact on the state's economy and immigrant communities is expected to be long-lasting, raising questions about the lasting effects of the administration's hardline immigration policies.

The details

The Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge deployed thousands of federal immigration officers to the Twin Cities area, which the Department of Homeland Security called its 'largest immigration enforcement operation ever.' The operation came under increasing criticism as the situation grew more volatile, with the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal officers drawing condemnation. Despite the announced end to the surge, Minnesota's governor said the damage would be 'generational' and that the state was left with 'deep damage' and 'economic ruin' in some cases.

  • The Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities began in 2026.
  • On January 24, 2026, U.S. citizen Alex Pretti was killed by federal officers.
  • On Thursday, February 13, 2026, the Trump administration announced the drawdown of the immigration enforcement surge.

The players

Tim Walz

The Democratic governor of Minnesota who urged residents to remain vigilant and said the damage from the immigration enforcement surge would be lasting.

Tom Homan

The Trump administration's border czar who announced the formal end to the immigration enforcement operation and claimed there was now 'unprecedented collaboration' between immigration officers and Minnesota law enforcement.

Dawanna Witt

The Hennepin County Sheriff who oversees the county jail, which does not work with immigration authorities unless an arrest warrant has been signed by a judge.

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What they’re saying

“The fact of the matter is they left us with deep damage, generational trauma. They left us with economic ruin, in some cases. They left us with many unanswered questions.”

— Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota

“I don't even want one ICE person here, if they act the way they've been acting. They talk about how the murder rate is down, and yet they've added two people to it.”

— John Schnickel, Local resident

What’s next

Federal prosecutors will continue to pursue cases against protesters and deportation cases that resulted from the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown in Minnesota has left lasting damage on the state's economy and immigrant communities, raising concerns about the long-term impacts of hardline policies and the erosion of trust in government.