Federal 'Operation Metro Surge' Ends in Minnesota

Authorities claim goals achieved, but local officials dispute claims of increased public safety

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The federal government's 'Operation Metro Surge', a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, has come to an end according to White House border czar Tom Homan. Homan claimed the operation's multi-pronged mission, which included investigating fraud allegations and targeting 'criminal illegal aliens', had been accomplished. However, local officials and legal experts have disputed the administration's assertions, arguing the operation caused more harm than good and failed to achieve its stated goals.

Why it matters

Operation Metro Surge was a controversial and aggressive federal immigration crackdown that sparked significant backlash from state and local leaders in Minnesota. The operation raised concerns about civil liberties, the treatment of immigrant communities, and the erosion of trust between law enforcement and residents. Its conclusion raises questions about whether the administration's claims of success are accurate and what long-term impact the operation may have on Minnesota's immigrant populations.

The details

Operation Metro Surge began in December 2025 when President Trump ordered immigration agents and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigators into Minnesota to investigate alleged fraud within the state's Somali community and 'target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens'. The operation soon evolved into a mass deportation effort, employing up to 3,000 federal agents across the Twin Cities. Homan, who replaced the initial DHS commander, said the operation resulted in over 4,000 arrests. However, state and local officials disputed the administration's characterization of the detainees, arguing many were not serious offenders and that the operation caused significant disruption and fear in immigrant communities. Legal experts also raised concerns about due process violations and the lack of transparency around deportation numbers and the immigration status of those detained.

  • Operation Metro Surge began in early December 2025 when President Trump ordered the immigration crackdown.
  • On January 6, 2026, the Trump administration dispatched thousands more federal agents to Minnesota.
  • On January 7, 2026, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed Renee Macklin Good in Minneapolis.
  • On February 14, 2026, White House border czar Tom Homan announced the federal law enforcement presence in Minnesota would be scaled back as the operation's goals had been accomplished.

The players

Tom Homan

White House border czar who announced the end of Operation Metro Surge, claiming the operation's goals had been achieved.

Gregory Bovino

U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large who initially led Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.

Mary Moriarty

Hennepin County Attorney who publicly disagreed that Minnesota is more secure as a result of Operation Metro Surge.

Paul Schnell

Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner who testified before the U.S. Senate about issues with the 'Worst of the Worst' list compiled by DHS during the operation.

Virgil Wiebe

Director of the Immigration Law Practice Group at the University of St. Thomas School of Law who expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and due process violations during Operation Metro Surge.

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What they’re saying

“Anyone who has witnessed this occupation in our community, or seen the footage online, knows that none of this has made us safer. Instead, it has caused irreparable damage to our community. Alex Pretti and Renee Good are no longer with their families.”

— Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney (twincities.com)

“Multiple times during Operation Metro Surge, we honored pre-scheduled releases to ICE, as is our policy. The next day, we would find DHS press releases and social media posts hailing these transfers as arrests made as part of federal agents' efforts to remove 'violent criminal illegal aliens from the streets of Minnesota.'”

— Paul Schnell, Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner (twincities.com)

“The White House website was claiming that all 4,000 (detainees) were criminals. It's just ridiculous.”

— Virgil Wiebe, Director of the Immigration Law Practice Group at the University of St. Thomas School of Law (twincities.com)

What’s next

The next hearing in a class-action suit filed by the Advocates for Human Rights against Operation PARRIS, a related federal immigration enforcement effort, will take place on Thursday at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

Operation Metro Surge has left a lasting impact on Minnesota's immigrant communities, with concerns about civil liberties, due process, and the erosion of trust between law enforcement and residents. While the federal government claims the operation achieved its goals, local officials and legal experts dispute these assertions, arguing the operation caused more harm than good and failed to meaningfully address the underlying issues it was meant to address.