Minnesotans Wary After Immigration Enforcement Surge Ends

State officials and residents say the impact of the crackdown will linger despite the drawdown.

Feb. 13, 2026 at 8:07pm

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The Trump administration's drawdown of its large-scale immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area has been met with relief, but state officials and residents say the effects on Minnesota's economy and immigrant communities will be long-lasting. While the administration touted the surge as a success, the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal officers drew condemnation and raised questions about the conduct of the agents involved.

Why it matters

The controversial immigration crackdown in Minnesota sparked outrage and distrust in government, with lingering concerns about its economic and social impact on the state's immigrant communities.

The details

Thousands of federal immigration officers were sent to the Twin Cities area for Operation Metro Surge, which the Department of Homeland Security called its 'largest immigration enforcement operation ever.' However, the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal officers during the operation drew widespread condemnation and prompted changes to the operation.

  • The immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota began in 2026.
  • The operation was announced as ending on February 13, 2026.

The players

Tom Homan

The former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who oversaw the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.

Tim Walz

The Democratic governor of Minnesota who criticized the Trump administration's tactics and warned of the lasting damage caused by the immigration crackdown.

Renee Good

A U.S. citizen who was shot and killed by federal officers during the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.

Alex Pretti

A U.S. citizen who was shot and killed by federal officers during the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.

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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 (kfgo.com)

“The Trump administration has created an atmosphere of distrust for government in general. They've repeatedly been caught in lies.”

— Mark Foresman, Local resident (kfgo.com)

“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 (kfgo.com)

What’s next

State officials have vowed to continue monitoring the long-term impacts of the immigration enforcement surge on Minnesota's communities and economy.

The takeaway

The controversial immigration crackdown in Minnesota has left a lasting mark of distrust and uncertainty, underscoring the divisive nature of the Trump administration's hardline approach to immigration enforcement and its consequences for local communities.