Trump Claims Victory in Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown, But Little Changed

The White House said it secured unprecedented cooperation from local law enforcement, but officials across Minnesota say their policies remain unchanged.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 9:39pm

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The Trump administration claimed victory in winding down a controversial immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, saying it had secured unprecedented cooperation from local law enforcement. However, sheriffs and public officials across Minnesota say little, if anything, has changed about their immigration enforcement policies, and many were already cooperating with federal authorities. Critics argue the administration was looking for a way to save face after a heavy-handed operation that had become politically toxic.

Why it matters

The differing accounts from the Trump administration and local officials highlight a disconnect over what, if anything, federal agents accomplished in Minnesota and why. The show of force in a Democratic-led state could also be seen as a warning to other states as the Trump administration tries to reclaim the narrative on immigration, a traditional political strength for Republicans.

The details

The Trump administration deployed roughly 3,000 federal agents to Minneapolis in a two-month operation called 'Operation Metro Surge' that led to thousands of arrests and the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of immigration agents. The White House claimed it had secured 'unprecedented levels of coordination' with local law enforcement to transfer undocumented immigrants in their jails to federal custody. However, sheriffs and public officials across Minnesota say their policies remain unchanged and they were already cooperating with federal authorities. The only county in the state that explicitly bans coordinating with federal immigration enforcement, Hennepin County, said its policies were unchanged. Several other large counties also said they had not signed any new agreements with the administration.

  • In January, federal agents killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, and Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, during the crackdown.
  • The Trump administration announced it was scaling down the operation in early February 2026.

The players

Tom Homan

President Trump's adviser on the border, who claimed the administration had secured 'unprecedented levels of coordination' with local law enforcement.

Tim Walz

The Democratic governor of Minnesota, who said the administration was trying to 'save face' after the 'politically toxic' operation.

Joe Leko

A sheriff in Dakota County, Minnesota, who said his department had been notifying ICE when it released people without legal status, and was unsure what the administration was claiming as 'unprecedented' cooperation.

Keith Ellison

The Democratic attorney general of Minnesota, who has said sheriffs cannot hold people wanted by ICE longer than they would otherwise be jailed.

Lindsey Graham

A Republican senator from South Carolina who was one of the allies to call Trump with concerns about the crackdown's 'distracting' images.

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What they’re saying

“The Twin Cities of Minnesota in general are and will continue to be much safer for the communities here because of what we have accomplished under President Trump's leadership.”

— Tom Homan, President Trump's adviser on the border (New York Times)

“They are drawing down and will continue to draw down because of the political damage they are suffering. There is no upside at all to keep ICE agents in Minnesota, and they are trying to save face now.”

— Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota (New York Times)

“I don't know what the gauge is for unprecedented. I kind of looked over my shoulders and, like, what? Who committed to what here? Am I missing something else that we should be doing?”

— Joe Leko, Sheriff in Dakota County, Minnesota (New York Times)

“Television matters, and the images got to be, you know, more than the market would bear. So Trump adjusted. That doesn't mean we've abandoned mass deportation.”

— Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator from South Carolina (New York Times)

“You're up here for the worst of the worst, the rapists and the murderers, but you're stopping law enforcement off-duty because of their race. So what are you doing? How are you going to explain that?”

— Joe Leko, Sheriff in Dakota County, Minnesota (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.